tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68543166806962938902018-03-19T11:13:35.354-08:00the queen travelsthequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.comBlogger434125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-69584609076714080552017-07-22T06:08:00.004-08:002017-07-22T06:08:47.428-08:00Issues<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Of course, there’s no trip complete without a bike issue, or two, I guess … Peppermint had had a fob issue in Whitehorse, Yukon, and it wouldn’t work, even after replacing the battery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She had to open that saran-wrapped-pristine manual she had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>That, of course, did not make her happy as she doesn’t do manuals.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">It’s a wonder she could remember anything about how to do the codes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She didn’t have a passcode written down but somehow dredged it from the recesses of her mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was a trial, and she was madder than a wet Rocky Mountain Sheep, but she finally got it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Being that there was no shop until Grand Prairie, Alberta, it was a few days using the code.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But she got pretty good at it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The evening in Lethbridge a fellow biker mentioned to Rockin’ Rita that she had a low tire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>When the girls got up on Saturday, July 1, it was flat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Out came her hand pump, and she worked it for about an hour or so to get it back up to a good pressure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They were hoping to nurse it to Great Falls, Montana, about 165 miles or so away.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The shop was called, and they were informed we were on our way, trying to get there before closing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>No one knew if they’d make it or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Maybe there’d be time spent stopping and pumping it up again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Someone was watching, and the tire held until Great Falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The shop was awesome, and found the problem in the tire … a screw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Rockin’ Rita now has a souvenir of what had been a nearly-new tire.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">While at the shop, Peppermint decided to put on some highway pegs to get her legs away from the heat on the bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Besides, both girls would now get a wash for the bikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was well-worth it as you could hardly tell what color they were from all the bugs.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4_oMqFazxM/WXIoFCP1xhI/AAAAAAAATiU/oFMbOF5J0tgKu_E7a3KRZDMg6iNZTGcaQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender%2Bdirty%2Bbike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4_oMqFazxM/WXIoFCP1xhI/AAAAAAAATiU/oFMbOF5J0tgKu_E7a3KRZDMg6iNZTGcaQCLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender%2Bdirty%2Bbike.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ugly, buggly.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The shop got them in and out and they were back on the road, headed to a place called White Sulphur Springs that another biker had told them about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was a small town, and wouldn’t you know it … they ran into someone they knew … Petitest’s mom, Lucy, who lives in Montana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She was there for a family reunion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They had a great but short visit and the girls went off to have some dinner.</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xpe6T3WDLhI/WXIoQa9WoeI/AAAAAAAATiY/8FjSOqsAKPkC4SCFFwNMIIm3eFkMrIa7wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xpe6T3WDLhI/WXIoQa9WoeI/AAAAAAAATiY/8FjSOqsAKPkC4SCFFwNMIIm3eFkMrIa7wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4624.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls with mom, Lucy, and brother, George.&nbsp; How fun to see someone we knew in this small town.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">On the way back to the motel, which was little cabins where you could park along side of them making for easy unloading and loading, two deer walked across the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They’ve seen quite a bit of urban animal life now.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhxSHilB2mo/WXIpQbleW8I/AAAAAAAATic/Qt9Ck7JJ4845lFX_eopccJryu96HP9_YACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9248%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhxSHilB2mo/WXIpQbleW8I/AAAAAAAATic/Qt9Ck7JJ4845lFX_eopccJryu96HP9_YACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9248%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otherwise, not much happening here.</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp; <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The next day, Sunday, July 2, it was all about riding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were in Montana, needed to get to Colorado Springs, and wanted to make some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were no photo stops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>That’s quite unusual for Peppermint as she always has at least two cameras and her phone camera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But riding came first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She knew there was a schedule and it had to be met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There was a hotel room and hundreds of women waiting.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Another day, and hundreds of miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Monday, July 3, was the day we were due to arrive at the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Peppermint was Facebook friends with a man who was friends of a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Isn’t that how it always is?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Anyway, Michael asked if the girls could stop and meet for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He said he and his wife would meet us on our route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So we said yes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Michael and Deb met us … and it was such a great meeting and visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They are people worth knowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vIwPW70cKo8/WXNbgJXAt3I/AAAAAAAATi0/g5Vq5Ks1AQwJEduIEQJQm_Dro957I2IhgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vIwPW70cKo8/WXNbgJXAt3I/AAAAAAAATi0/g5Vq5Ks1AQwJEduIEQJQm_Dro957I2IhgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4626.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's always fun to meet someone you have known only through FB.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Michael&nbsp;had considered going on a trip a number of years ago with a group my friend, Uncle Glen, knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I went … and we all rode motorcycles to Key West.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Michael didn’t go on that trip, but he and his wife have certainly covered a lot of other ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was fun, and we got fed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But all too soon it was time to get back on the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">At this point, I used the GPS again to get us on toward Colorado Springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yet again, another bad move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I will conquer this thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I hope.&nbsp; More on that later.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">All I can say, is that eventually we did make it to Colorado Springs, and the Women on Wheels Ride In host hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Finally.&nbsp; It was great to be met by WOW Riding In Committee members toting bottles of water and giving us welcoming hugs.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"></div></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-83953493249012918792017-07-21T06:43:00.003-08:002017-07-21T06:43:31.955-08:00The Alaska-Canada Highway Will Not Beat Us <span style="font-family: Calibri;">We awoke Wednesday, June 28, to beautiful birds on the bannister of our little patio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They had nests in the eaves of the building and it was cool to hear and see them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This was a great place to stay, but all too soon, it was time to get back on the road as we had to make miles each day to make our destination by our goal date.</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5-91f2dGB4/WXII5tlLS4I/AAAAAAAAThQ/MBrQjAZ7oDYD3Q58MLtsk6CtNtE6jkoVQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9207%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5-91f2dGB4/WXII5tlLS4I/AAAAAAAAThQ/MBrQjAZ7oDYD3Q58MLtsk6CtNtE6jkoVQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9207%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright and beautiful were these little birds.&nbsp; And they weren't too afraid either.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This highway has been something, but not as bad as Peppermint had thought it might be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Thanks to good weather, I expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A friend who is an excellent and cautious rider had gone down so she was a bit apprehensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were fortunate to not have much rain, just a few sprinkles mostly, here and there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The construction areas were dry, which is helpful, so no mud or sliding around scrambling to stay upright, even in two-mile-long dirt and gravel stretches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was a culvert project where there were detours, and those were rocks and gravel, nearly dirt-bike quality, but we made it through all of those without a mishap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Being in the tour pack, I was safely crammed in with all the crap she carries, but I was a bit concerned because I could feel some fishtailing going on.&nbsp;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rKnzgrbaDbM/WXIJMVNZM5I/AAAAAAAAThU/b9AeiQBvFn4ceEoVsKt4Clawseb-Hg1pgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9212%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1479" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rKnzgrbaDbM/WXIJMVNZM5I/AAAAAAAAThU/b9AeiQBvFn4ceEoVsKt4Clawseb-Hg1pgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9212%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No road trip on the Alcan is complete without a stop at Toad River.&nbsp; The girls let me out ... but it seems I'm just eye candy, taken out for a photo here and there&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But it was a great day as there lots of animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Peppermint loves seeing the animals more than anything else, so we stopped a lot while she and Rockin’ Rita took photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They still didn’t let me out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m suffering back here with sneakers, purses, makeup and whatever else she can’t fit somewhere else on the bike.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y63Z204oDMc/WXIHoKf89UI/AAAAAAAATg8/AdWBUlBKUPQ_V2myrD_oKM4il86cAyvaQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9218%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y63Z204oDMc/WXIHoKf89UI/AAAAAAAATg8/AdWBUlBKUPQ_V2myrD_oKM4il86cAyvaQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9218%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are my people.&nbsp; I should have been let out of the tour pack.&nbsp; I'm very unhappy.&nbsp; I'm not afraid of these guys.&nbsp; I'm thinking I could have found some love here and made some little Flat Rockys.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Od1LkKxsEBs/WXIHqs-5NtI/AAAAAAAAThE/Cc_lqO5ENwUJSk_InFQW6xZCROCaE5KgwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9220%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1600" height="201" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Od1LkKxsEBs/WXIHqs-5NtI/AAAAAAAAThE/Cc_lqO5ENwUJSk_InFQW6xZCROCaE5KgwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9220%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at these ladies.&nbsp; I'm in love.&nbsp; The second from the left has my heart forever.&nbsp; I could see through the crack in the tour pack.&nbsp; Now I'm heartbroken because I couldn't get to my one true love.&nbsp; I hate Peppermint.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4nBVCR581yU/WXIHpdacCuI/AAAAAAAAThA/JlqVH1f_SDk5pptqP2EcSSiprwaQrBbeQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9234%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4nBVCR581yU/WXIHpdacCuI/AAAAAAAAThA/JlqVH1f_SDk5pptqP2EcSSiprwaQrBbeQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9234%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The caribou down the road came by the bikes as the vehicles spooked them.&nbsp; Maybe I could love a caribou?</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">The sun was still with us on Thursday, June 29.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We made it to Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and sought out the end, or the beginning depending on whether you’re coming or going, of the Alaska-Canada sign, Milepost Zero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was kind of tough as there are really two signs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>One is in the middle of town, in the middle of the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They rode around a bit to find it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Stb55Oprbow/WXILAcL6rWI/AAAAAAAAThg/-IIV5kxHAmIGl6RNAUXfOcpq5l3wEtTTACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Stb55Oprbow/WXILAcL6rWI/AAAAAAAAThg/-IIV5kxHAmIGl6RNAUXfOcpq5l3wEtTTACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4617.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mile Zero in the middle of the street.&nbsp; With cars going by, I was sure I'd be left as road kill.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">The other is the arch set off the road with a big parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This is the one people usually use to document their road trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But, of course, the ladies had to photograph both of them. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jMWtlwDQcI/WXILQ3Jy36I/AAAAAAAAThk/XOEUa7iKBGwJVc5ChQPsha4qfgyCpDv2QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9238%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1551" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jMWtlwDQcI/WXILQ3Jy36I/AAAAAAAAThk/XOEUa7iKBGwJVc5ChQPsha4qfgyCpDv2QCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9238%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm finally out of the tour pack ... maybe these two scamps remembered I'm on this road trip with them?</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div></o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span>We were getting close to being out of Canada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>When we got near Calgary, Alberta, on Friday, June 30, we met up with a friend of Dewey’s … the Canadian brother to many Alaskans, but probably not me as I didn’t see any horns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Karen met us at a gas station, and had Nanaimo bars waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Homemade goodies with soft chocolate frosting … they melted in your mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Or so I’m told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I didn’t get any of those.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m sure the ladies would have told me they were poisonous to sheep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m not buying any of that, though.<o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oewqWrXSEz8/WXIPNmPu4zI/AAAAAAAAThw/EaKzSW7uXgw0FSpCKCj1dUp0YcHRjr9ygCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oewqWrXSEz8/WXIPNmPu4zI/AAAAAAAAThw/EaKzSW7uXgw0FSpCKCj1dUp0YcHRjr9ygCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4618.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that luscious Nanaimo bar.&nbsp; I could have slurped down a dozen of them in nothing flat ... get that?&nbsp; Flat?&nbsp; But when it came down to it, I didn't even get a sniff.&nbsp; Unbeknownst to them, even through the tour pack I could smell the chocolate, and I drooled all over everything.&nbsp; Peppermint was wondering how things got damp.&nbsp;&nbsp;Haha. &nbsp;I got back at her and she never suspected a thing.&nbsp; What a nice way to be greeted, though, at your first meeting.&nbsp; Thank you, Karen.&nbsp; It was wonderful.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">&nbsp;Anyway, Karen took the ladies to a great food spot she’d never tried before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The girls said it was awesome, and if they could ever find it again, would go back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; After a leisurely lunch, </span>Karen got us around Calgary proper on some back roads, fun and not too much traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>At a crossroads, she pointed us in the right direction and we got on our way, headed to Lethbridge, before hitting those final miles to drop into Montana, and the good ole US of A.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span>As we traveled on Highway 23, we stopped for gas in a town called Vulcan, in southern Alberta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was named Vulcan after the Roman God of Fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>However, one of their claims to fame is having some Star Trek things there, including a replica of the Starship Enterprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>While only of the girls was interested in that, and probably would attend one of the annual “trekkie” conventions, it was at least worth a photo opportunity for me.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eDFf5b9a1Q/WXISoHKgaYI/AAAAAAAATh8/cvAg322ivnkuTyst2BgucdT2n5dsgn-AgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9243%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eDFf5b9a1Q/WXISoHKgaYI/AAAAAAAATh8/cvAg322ivnkuTyst2BgucdT2n5dsgn-AgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9243%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that I think about it, if I had one of these flying things, I could get to my one true love in the Northern Rockies.&nbsp; If only I had thumbs and fingers and knew how to fly it.&nbsp; I'd dump these two in a sheep heartbeat.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">At that point, the final leg to Lethbridge needed to be complete and we were in for the night.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">&nbsp;</span></o:p></div><br /> thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-73099996384175895592017-07-19T06:33:00.002-08:002017-07-19T06:33:28.297-08:00Flat Rocky Rides Again ... for now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The day dawned not so bright and clear, Thursday, June 22, … I was on my way to Fairbanks with Rockin’ Rita, Peppermint Patti and the rest of their crew … quite a bunch I might add.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But for me, I had to stay out of sight … this was a HOG function, not a WOW function.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I just stayed in the tour pack while they had all the fun… going and attending the HOG rally in Fairbanks.</span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z6e9YV6Ve6I/WWgygu01ppI/AAAAAAAATcM/H7j6x5Lwv00QKxEQrjXucQ2jRrWv9UW5wCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z6e9YV6Ve6I/WWgygu01ppI/AAAAAAAATcM/H7j6x5Lwv00QKxEQrjXucQ2jRrWv9UW5wCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4595.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of their stops was at a pull out&nbsp;called Denali View South.&nbsp; Well, they got theirs.&nbsp; There was no Denali view.&nbsp; But good friends always make the best of it and they took their photo anyway.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">They made multiple stops on the way to Fairbanks, eating, taking photos … I wasn’t even able to get out to stretch my four legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This was no fun at all for me.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Most of&nbsp;our group stayed at the University of Alaska – Fairbanks housing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I still didn’t get out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And off they went to play … ride around, play bike games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7hLXU4wa18U/WW7QcTU9RhI/AAAAAAAATc0/jayTe1ucr_Uj7FaEATdmEmFpktDv7xfUgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7hLXU4wa18U/WW7QcTU9RhI/AAAAAAAATc0/jayTe1ucr_Uj7FaEATdmEmFpktDv7xfUgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4608.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rockin' Rita received an impromptu hair cut from Miss Harley Davidson the Mighty Quin. There are certain necessities prior to heading out on a long road trip.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />﻿<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dyf5Xs-UxVg/WW7QcUYvK6I/AAAAAAAATcw/fFyVrvBhgU42lmKjj4MDAv2rlTCb5sKkgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dyf5Xs-UxVg/WW7QcUYvK6I/AAAAAAAATcw/fFyVrvBhgU42lmKjj4MDAv2rlTCb5sKkgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4612.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goofy women.&nbsp; I guess Harley rallies do that to them.&nbsp; Robin doesn't even know they were there.&nbsp; Sly ladies.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">They also ate a lot, and had ice cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I didn’t get any of that either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But my day was coming.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-42NYNC9kL1s/WWgzB1V_suI/AAAAAAAATcQ/mTS00q7q9Y46k4eYJcyVzQ0xbbrI1gh-wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-42NYNC9kL1s/WWgzB1V_suI/AAAAAAAATcQ/mTS00q7q9Y46k4eYJcyVzQ0xbbrI1gh-wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4602.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They ate at a Denny's.&nbsp; Peppermint is thinking the food at these places has improved a lot.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r62j8fHr9-s/WWgzNggz3WI/AAAAAAAATcU/L1RKnYIBWC4Fu7urD3YgwGxhI-QLAijzACLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r62j8fHr9-s/WWgzNggz3WI/AAAAAAAATcU/L1RKnYIBWC4Fu7urD3YgwGxhI-QLAijzACLcBGAs/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They even had an outhouse rather than a restroom, as Fireman Mike pointed out so well.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Sunday, June 25, Rockin’ Rita, Birdy, Fireman Mike and Peppermint rode to Delta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There, we separated and Rockin’ Rita and Peppermint started their run of the Alaska-Canada Highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qmbBAgfOmiM/WW7TqAemtnI/AAAAAAAATdA/yzdKBYo0uhIH3-70aSmkbYCzydxU4oxrACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qmbBAgfOmiM/WW7TqAemtnI/AAAAAAAATdA/yzdKBYo0uhIH3-70aSmkbYCzydxU4oxrACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4614.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll notice they were so excited to get on the road they didn't even include me in the photo.&nbsp; Bummer.&nbsp; But I was there, just not visible.&nbsp; Yep, still in the tour pack.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What a ride that was … the first dinner stop was in Tok, where we met up with Smudge and Mike, and Ruby and Tim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; The day was young, and on we rode.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JXzgXZkVlIg/WW7fXhPD_-I/AAAAAAAATeM/hfijLrYLeV4OOC_slE-DF3U2XFc0Ig-3ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9140%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1600" height="299" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JXzgXZkVlIg/WW7fXhPD_-I/AAAAAAAATeM/hfijLrYLeV4OOC_slE-DF3U2XFc0Ig-3ACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9140%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then, we crossed into Yukon, Canada.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2C2NOfcYsk/WW7fZEcVizI/AAAAAAAATeQ/pLr8H0kpsMgM67HCUejdpZbBUV6iYGKNACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9147%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2C2NOfcYsk/WW7fZEcVizI/AAAAAAAATeQ/pLr8H0kpsMgM67HCUejdpZbBUV6iYGKNACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9147%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls, and me.&nbsp; Yep, they finally remembered I was knocking around in the tour pack.&nbsp; Rockin' Rita, Peppermint, Smudge and Ruby.&nbsp; What a group they are.&nbsp; Nuts, I'd say.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were all going to the same place past Beaver Creek in Yukon, to a place called Discovery Yukon Lodgings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was informed that it was way better than staying in Beaver Creek, and it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The folks were super nice, and the accommodations very cute and quaint … little cabins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXtasqM_VwA/WW7hBZwIaWI/AAAAAAAATeg/6Y3JArs041YxnDHroAT6WiQ-EaAxqWImgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9149%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="1600" height="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MXtasqM_VwA/WW7hBZwIaWI/AAAAAAAATeg/6Y3JArs041YxnDHroAT6WiQ-EaAxqWImgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9149%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These old snow machines have personality.&nbsp; The one on the left looks like a ninja.&nbsp; The one on the right seems to be smiling.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YyqafYqmuC0/WW7hBA_-G6I/AAAAAAAATec/B-OORVEFOU4KtsfvioCfF12WJDBrjBgyACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9151%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1600" height="144" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YyqafYqmuC0/WW7hBA_-G6I/AAAAAAAATec/B-OORVEFOU4KtsfvioCfF12WJDBrjBgyACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9151%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rockin' Rita's trike is outside the cabin.&nbsp; The women didn't let me inside.&nbsp; They left me in the tour packs like some kind of animal.&nbsp; What's with that?&nbsp; I'm housebroke, kind of.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gravel around the cabin and an unseen tree root&nbsp;did give Peppermint a bit of trouble, but with the help of the other ladies she managed to get where she wanted to go without dropping the bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was a pretty rough ride for me in the tour pack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>However, I did survive.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>&nbsp;</div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday, June 26, the group continued on to Haines Junction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Smudge, Mike, Ruby and Tim were heading to Haines to catch a ferry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span>﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IH85vNiYD4/WW7V_2eo7OI/AAAAAAAATdU/jWxK7APFV-sCJ7Tw_C72x0pJDWygnSz3wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8332%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1600" height="99" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IH85vNiYD4/WW7V_2eo7OI/AAAAAAAATdU/jWxK7APFV-sCJ7Tw_C72x0pJDWygnSz3wCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_8332%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smudge and Mike, Tim and Ruby, riding ahead of us around&nbsp;Kluane Lake.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5pfZcl4B_TM/WW7i7UrpFyI/AAAAAAAATes/nWliuT7Y8XERJzzpwfLUEMfxaoX3FJUfQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9155%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1600" height="262" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5pfZcl4B_TM/WW7i7UrpFyI/AAAAAAAATes/nWliuT7Y8XERJzzpwfLUEMfxaoX3FJUfQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9155%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a tough crowd.&nbsp; They were not real enthusiastic about doing a can-can kick.</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n9lY5B9GXCQ/WW7i7frBzgI/AAAAAAAATew/22TBeon9qCsY4cg1miqdQA-WwVl1l08oACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9156%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1600" height="173" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n9lY5B9GXCQ/WW7i7frBzgI/AAAAAAAATew/22TBeon9qCsY4cg1miqdQA-WwVl1l08oACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9156%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a>﻿<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were more enthused about this photo near the beautiful lake.</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5zpLgj7KAk/WW7XgMC8OlI/AAAAAAAATdk/DDi0f5ICcxgCT-GA-hOygEbR3AqwTAMswCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8344%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1301" height="157" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5zpLgj7KAk/WW7XgMC8OlI/AAAAAAAATdk/DDi0f5ICcxgCT-GA-hOygEbR3AqwTAMswCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_8344%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rockin' Rita rode sweep, her usual spot.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were continuing on … taking a total of nine days, and about 3,600 miles, to get to Colorado Springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>That’s where the Women On Wheels Ride In would take place, and I’d be in my full glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m their mascot … being introduced as a flat animal on a tongue depressor last year at the Ride In banquet in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since then I’ve been a lot of places … not just with these chicks, but with all the WOW members who live all over the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;">We found a place to stay in Whitehorse, Yukon, and wouldn’t you know it … they ran into some friends from Anchorage, Jon and Glenda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; We were trying to find&nbsp;the hotel and this car behind us kept dogging us.&nbsp; Then someone in the vehicle asked if we were lost.&nbsp; Peppermint was about to lose her cool with them.&nbsp; Rockin' Rita told them we were just fine.&nbsp; They followed us.&nbsp; Ha!!!&nbsp; Jon didn't know he was&nbsp;close to being&nbsp;told he was Number 1, or better.&nbsp; They were with&nbsp;relatives and on a road trip.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of these women is always running into someone she knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Well, that way she can’t get away with anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But then the other one is always keeping her in line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>You figure out who does what.</span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">The ladies have gotten some pretty good weather, and that continued on Tuesday, June 27.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LqEmkya-OAU/WW7nZJp8fNI/AAAAAAAATfA/SZjqiE3vq9c3LlqJRMPwZU_OrikmDEtqACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9162%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1423" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LqEmkya-OAU/WW7nZJp8fNI/AAAAAAAATfA/SZjqiE3vq9c3LlqJRMPwZU_OrikmDEtqACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9162%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first wildlife of the day was an urban fox ... walking across the street as the ladies were packing up to leave.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">They rolled into Teslin, and the location of the metal-grate Teslin River bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Peppermint loves the bridge and the grate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Other people, not so much.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ula2IvoNW5Q/WW7Zj6bpSjI/AAAAAAAATd0/1QT5cuQeB5s6qqZi7Ng2utjsh30QAMvOwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8346%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ula2IvoNW5Q/WW7Zj6bpSjI/AAAAAAAATd0/1QT5cuQeB5s6qqZi7Ng2utjsh30QAMvOwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_8346%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Teslin River Bridge, Yukon Territory, Canada.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wzwxg9_i1No/WW7aYAz_49I/AAAAAAAATd8/D8KhfN7FiRYFYzREEhrgANi5fVo3x8BCwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8348%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="1600" height="276" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wzwxg9_i1No/WW7aYAz_49I/AAAAAAAATd8/D8KhfN7FiRYFYzREEhrgANi5fVo3x8BCwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_8348%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how the bridge should be crossed ... quickly and with attitude.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">The road stretched out, but the weather was decent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Watson Lake came into sight, and the famous Sign Forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>That’s always worth a stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OG1KfYi7jZI/WW7u0xAZA-I/AAAAAAAATfc/TLhEAwK4j4w1bZngSuZ9DlVhWOh4T2unQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9171%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OG1KfYi7jZI/WW7u0xAZA-I/AAAAAAAATfc/TLhEAwK4j4w1bZngSuZ9DlVhWOh4T2unQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9171%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to get out of the tour pack and have a photo at the sign post forest in Watson Lake.&nbsp; Friend Dewey was in Alaska, so we didn't get to see him here.&nbsp; Maybe, when we come back through here.&nbsp; It just felt good to be in the fresh air.&nbsp; I was starting to feel claustrophobic and a bit bike-sick.&nbsp; It's like car-sick but stuck in a tour pack instead.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">I got to get out of the tour pack and I was like a wild creature … playing, photo bombing, helping a family put up a sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I didn’t want to leave as the taste of freedom was oh-so sweet in my mouth.</div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JiOnbSkSIks/WW7vQQF5fuI/AAAAAAAATfg/a_vGYNgXUZAijNNdcViRm2QPzPKWJ8SvgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9175%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JiOnbSkSIks/WW7vQQF5fuI/AAAAAAAATfg/a_vGYNgXUZAijNNdcViRm2QPzPKWJ8SvgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9175%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This family was kind enough to let me help them out.&nbsp; It's hard work putting up a sign in this neighborhood.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LlG0ubM0d6c/WW7vuqyQifI/AAAAAAAATfo/49NQsAYtJggbi-7LinyBASq6j2A028q-gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9168%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1283" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LlG0ubM0d6c/WW7vuqyQifI/AAAAAAAATfo/49NQsAYtJggbi-7LinyBASq6j2A028q-gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9168%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls met Anna.&nbsp; She was a very nice dog, and was adopted from Best Friends in Kanab, Utah.&nbsp; Peppermint has been there, and thinks it's a great organization.&nbsp; In fact, she belongs to it.&nbsp; They save many, many animals, and not just dogs.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">Alas, the girls wanted to get back on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was kind of glad they didn’t let me out too much after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were a lot of bears on the road, and beasr eat sheep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was scared as I could smell them, and I’m sure they could smell me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-igXV9w8WFrY/WW9ovFU4vmI/AAAAAAAATf4/4fSyHJ1n0To_peGwyxxADJF3Q0apBNNmgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9193%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-igXV9w8WFrY/WW9ovFU4vmI/AAAAAAAATf4/4fSyHJ1n0To_peGwyxxADJF3Q0apBNNmgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9193%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were quite a few&nbsp; bears in a short distance.&nbsp; This one looks like he smells sheep.&nbsp; Agghh.&nbsp; That would most likely&nbsp;be me he's smelling.&nbsp; Help.&nbsp; Let's get out of here.&nbsp; Ride for your lives!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTMsSgD7vc4/WW9ovyCaSEI/AAAAAAAATf8/es2Dm89XUD8H13Wzyehk8wH86D0GmUCcQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9198%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1600" height="194" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTMsSgD7vc4/WW9ovyCaSEI/AAAAAAAATf8/es2Dm89XUD8H13Wzyehk8wH86D0GmUCcQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9198%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why did she shoot this in black and white?&nbsp; I don't know.&nbsp; At least they were going away from the road and not toward us.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VGq9JU53C2s/WW9pcCnrEEI/AAAAAAAATgA/OFqAJgLC_88M9otD36_fbau95Doav1mmACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9186%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1466" data-original-width="1600" height="293" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VGq9JU53C2s/WW9pcCnrEEI/AAAAAAAATgA/OFqAJgLC_88M9otD36_fbau95Doav1mmACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9186%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peppermint had to get my photo with a bear.&nbsp; You can see that small dot of black&nbsp;on the right-hand side.&nbsp; My eyes are bugging out because I'm scared and my back is to him.&nbsp; I sure hope Peppermint has my back if he turns around.&nbsp; Bears eat sheep, remember?&nbsp; I'm a tasty morsel as I ride not walk, so I'm quite tender and on the plump side.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cbZvLjdjQiY/WW9p6JKSOeI/AAAAAAAATgE/qyc4xhLcAtgJznTAFJp9mB380yXAN-AhQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9203%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1600" height="129" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cbZvLjdjQiY/WW9p6JKSOeI/AAAAAAAATgE/qyc4xhLcAtgJznTAFJp9mB380yXAN-AhQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9203%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, we ended up at a place called Northern Rockies Lodge, or some such.&nbsp; It was a pleasant place and I was glad we were done for the day.&nbsp; Seeing all those bears scared the sheep poop out of me.&nbsp; I hid it in her tour pack.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div></o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-70566981540256614202017-06-08T08:10:00.000-08:002017-06-08T08:10:06.208-08:00The Last Week<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">On Wednesday, May 24, Stef and I went to breakfast and then parted ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She rode north heading back to Redwood City, California, and I went south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s always sad to part, but we were on our way to the final chapter of this journey.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">My path was leading me to Beatty, Nevada, to pick up my battery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I arrived, gassed up and headed to the Atomic Inn where we’d stayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The office was locked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Until 3:30?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was there shortly after noon, and I didn’t have time to hang around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I had places to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I went looking through the buildings to see if I could find someone that could help me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I saw trailers in back, so I went and knocked on doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>No one answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I saw a building with a yard attached … but it had what appeared to be a pit bull in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He seemed to be friendly, but I wasn’t going to step into the yard to find out first-hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I knocked on the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>No response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I stood in the driveway between the office and the motel units and yelled great obscenities.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Then I went around the front of the motel office and saw another attachment to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I went there and knocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Someone answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Now … “Do you have access to the office?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The young man retrieved my battery and I was on my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Finally.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I was back on the road and headed for my final stop for the night … Boulder City, Nevada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was nice to get there although my GPS took me in the back way that included a road closure and a detour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Oh well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The next morning, Thursday, May 25, I was headed to Sun City to stay with my friends, the Peeps, for a few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But first, I was making a stop to have lunch with a lady I’d met on the Women on Wheels website, Kristin. This is the second time we’ve done this … and it’s been pleasant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8epi059r3I/WS-nBCTsVXI/AAAAAAAATYs/bip_OXlRY-sIjQOJGXRcc0vy67r60FiYQCLcB/s1600/kristin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1199" height="268" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8epi059r3I/WS-nBCTsVXI/AAAAAAAATYs/bip_OXlRY-sIjQOJGXRcc0vy67r60FiYQCLcB/s320/kristin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristin and me at Arrowhead.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">A&nbsp;stop at Arrowhead Harley didn’t hurt either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I wanted them to check my tire pressure because if I needed a tire I’d get a bike wash that would take off two weeks of bugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Tires are still good.&nbsp; Crap.&nbsp; Now I've got to wash it myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I found the Peeps’ place this time just like I knew where I was going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We had a great couple of days … playing cards, helping eat a birthday cake for Ken, going to the newest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, and a trip to COSTCO where I found the makings for a new favorite dip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6FXq5z6NHJA/WS-nO7k4FPI/AAAAAAAATYw/ylfoP06P2MAt7XFqqGLdcsrvz6EZJXUUwCLcB/s1600/dip%2BIMG_4521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6FXq5z6NHJA/WS-nO7k4FPI/AAAAAAAATYw/ylfoP06P2MAt7XFqqGLdcsrvz6EZJXUUwCLcB/s1600/dip%2BIMG_4521.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know ... doesn't sound that great ... but it is ... with a few other ingredients, but these are the main two.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">On Sunday, May 28, I left the Peeps just after they went to church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I headed over to Gilbert to my friends, Joe and Verlie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>On my way there I noticed a place called IFly … indoor skydiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I could do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I mentioned it to Joe and Verlie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Joe … no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Verlie … I’ll watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’ll see.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We had other things to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Monday, May 29, there was a Memorial Day rally at the National Cemetery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were up at 3:30 a.m., an ungodly hour, and on the road by 4:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The ride was beautiful, with the sun coming up and orange and pink flecks in the sky coming over the mountains.&nbsp; The weather was cool enough to wear my fleece shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We arrived at the cemetery and had a flag line going down the street where folks would be coming in for the ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We stayed a few hours and then were gone … to get a bite to eat and head back to the house for much-needed naps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AF4rhomuH68/WS-nknB6EZI/AAAAAAAATY4/mY1TiO-htRU_SPowJfFvg6HF4Zoo0IMQwCLcB/s1600/PGR%2BIMG_4550%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="272" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AF4rhomuH68/WS-nknB6EZI/AAAAAAAATY4/mY1TiO-htRU_SPowJfFvg6HF4Zoo0IMQwCLcB/s1600/PGR%2BIMG_4550%2B%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were flags flying everywhere ... it's great to&nbsp;see the red, white and blue.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">It was a great couple of days … with massages and facials, dips in the pool, errands, a hair cut, the flag line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And I decided to do the IFLY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What a trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>You get dressed in a jump suit, and have some instruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RmKAZG02J0E/WS-uSmE7gII/AAAAAAAATZI/ujA16X0GSjkb-3NT1wnFFJx09pifbe5QQCLcB/s1600/i%2Bfly%2Bphoto%2B2%2B20170530_201408_resized%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="909" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RmKAZG02J0E/WS-uSmE7gII/AAAAAAAATZI/ujA16X0GSjkb-3NT1wnFFJx09pifbe5QQCLcB/s320/i%2Bfly%2Bphoto%2B2%2B20170530_201408_resized%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="181" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll be flying.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Y</span>ou’re in a wind tunnel and fly&nbsp;with 105-120 mph wind coming up at you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What a kick that was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RbMX3iX9upw/WTl2fK2LCUI/AAAAAAAATZ4/BFkINk1LFGwfQoR2ERNNwyeJeEKuPd-1ACLcB/s1600/flying_280025%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1529" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RbMX3iX9upw/WTl2fK2LCUI/AAAAAAAATZ4/BFkINk1LFGwfQoR2ERNNwyeJeEKuPd-1ACLcB/s320/flying_280025%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe I will try jumping out of a perfectly good airplane now.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">My time was up and I headed home June 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was a great few months, and there’s more to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Stay tuned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-30162261007647490262017-05-31T19:57:00.001-08:002017-05-31T19:57:05.887-08:00The Tufas of Mono Lake<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">By Monday, May 22, we’d decided to head back to Lee Vining, California, higher up in the mountains, because the weather was way better and we’d be able to get in and out easily now that the temperature was in the 70s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yahoo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There was a lake calling to us there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">So, back we went, again covering some of the roads we’d already ridden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But they were beautiful roads with some awesome twisties and gorgeous mountains and rock formations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nu6_RIL2O5g/WSz5z_SQkYI/AAAAAAAATV0/MnZDsdRpPj05GYfbVXwG44BOaHOTMc7TQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8655%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1600" height="153" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nu6_RIL2O5g/WSz5z_SQkYI/AAAAAAAATV0/MnZDsdRpPj05GYfbVXwG44BOaHOTMc7TQCLcB/s320/IMG_8655%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More postcard shots.&nbsp; The colors were vivid and it was hard to leave this spot.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We stopped at a pullout at the top of a canyon and walked about taking photos of flowers and mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The noise was deafening and there they came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were treated to fighter jets whizzing by, up and around and through the canyon lying in front of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qPJ4J-qBIsw/WSz6S45icgI/AAAAAAAATWA/wyZOKSaSQOQvnR-QmWey42GPMh30J5eOACLcB/s1600/IMG_8658%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="1600" height="125" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qPJ4J-qBIsw/WSz6S45icgI/AAAAAAAATWA/wyZOKSaSQOQvnR-QmWey42GPMh30J5eOACLcB/s320/IMG_8658%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The jet is about the middle of the photo, flying away.&nbsp; What a cool thing to see.&nbsp; The Panamint, Saline and Eureka Valley portions of Death Valley National Park remain military training areas.&nbsp; The region is used for low-level flight training, but&nbsp;is not allowed in other areas of the park.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rQJCI0inng/WSz6TEZ_yGI/AAAAAAAATV8/RzBRD2CC_BIx3F1Fqfhi_lrEtwJIWXbrgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8667%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rQJCI0inng/WSz6TEZ_yGI/AAAAAAAATV8/RzBRD2CC_BIx3F1Fqfhi_lrEtwJIWXbrgCLcB/s320/IMG_8667%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This looks like multiple flowers, all in one.&nbsp; It's a Desert Five Spot.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">It was a great day of traveling and riding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And by the way, this time I killed that pass – the 8,036-foot one that killed me last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was wearing just jeans and a shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yep, shirtsleeves all the way, baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Take that, Deadman Pass.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1jb2GfH81Y/WS2iwxVJ0aI/AAAAAAAATWs/u6mQGoGdxooX9FJaVpnvuy1rxs9Mct2xgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8691%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1jb2GfH81Y/WS2iwxVJ0aI/AAAAAAAATWs/u6mQGoGdxooX9FJaVpnvuy1rxs9Mct2xgCLcB/s320/IMG_8691%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cut of the road added to the beauty of the area, in my mind anyway.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We got to our motel and when I went to charge my battery for going to the lake the next day, I discovered my charger and my backup battery were gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Then I remembered … I’d forgotten it, left it behind at the Beatty motel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Crap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I called the Atomic Inn, and they said they’d look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There was someone in the room we’d stayed in, so I was kind of figuring I might not see it again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s a good thing Stef and I have the same camera so I could use her charger.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pILDhCQ5FYM/WS2iwMGuV2I/AAAAAAAATWo/CpV8tNqpZPsYnp8LlnERYQB6P_xY9oUkgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8706%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1343" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pILDhCQ5FYM/WS2iwMGuV2I/AAAAAAAATWo/CpV8tNqpZPsYnp8LlnERYQB6P_xY9oUkgCLcB/s320/IMG_8706%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked around Lee Vining,&nbsp;at 6,761 feet&nbsp;and with an excellent temperature, and&nbsp;we found the Upside Down House.&nbsp; Is this Dorothy's?&nbsp; Nellie Bly O'Bryan built this tourist attraction in 1956.&nbsp; It was inspired by&nbsp;two children's tales, "Upside Down Land," which Nellie recalled after seeing a tipped over miner's cabin, and "The Upsidedownians."&nbsp; It was originally located along Highway 395, but moved here in 2000.&nbsp;&nbsp;O'Bryan was Hollywood's first female projectionist and appeared in several of Charlie Chaplin's silent movies.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K_NOmtGOpWw/WS9yENG7srI/AAAAAAAATYA/2EKQ8FCLMBgXKQabSKpQLVSqKEOptAYhwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8715%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K_NOmtGOpWw/WS9yENG7srI/AAAAAAAATYA/2EKQ8FCLMBgXKQabSKpQLVSqKEOptAYhwCLcB/s320/IMG_8715%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we got up it looked like snow all around the bikes.&nbsp; Cottonwood trees ... ugh!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We got up Tuesday morning, May 23, and got ready to head to Mono Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’d been here a few days earlier, but had decided we wanted to do it right, spending time walking around through all the tufas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>My only thought was that I didn’t like the nearly mile of gravel you had to travel to get to it, not hard-packed, but a bit deep and rolling about like marbles.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pP6mndPh4k/WS2eaCWj7jI/AAAAAAAATWU/jWdgaboui206HwfbsrkZX2oMrUWeEDpcgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8571%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pP6mndPh4k/WS2eaCWj7jI/AAAAAAAATWU/jWdgaboui206HwfbsrkZX2oMrUWeEDpcgCLcB/s320/IMG_8571%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got there and parked in the lot.&nbsp; There weren't many people around yet, which was pretty nice.&nbsp; This path leads you down to the tufas, and I was looking forward to walking around through all of them.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2t1snbmg2wQ/WS2iWH6zb6I/AAAAAAAATWg/rJLTjKYZFagFYXmx5siEocIqZRweoemNwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8579%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1600" height="177" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2t1snbmg2wQ/WS2iWH6zb6I/AAAAAAAATWg/rJLTjKYZFagFYXmx5siEocIqZRweoemNwCLcB/s320/IMG_8579%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These cream-colored rock towers are called tufas.&nbsp; The towers reveal where springs once emerged beneath Mono Lake.&nbsp; As the lake level dropped the tufa towers were exposed and the springs that formed them dried up.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcAiMqzVX6s/WS2iXJJ9UEI/AAAAAAAATWk/Bv8_sAFGVps0pIkIh3pjK2oQxtb0F30wACLcB/s1600/IMG_8580%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1600" height="152" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcAiMqzVX6s/WS2iXJJ9UEI/AAAAAAAATWk/Bv8_sAFGVps0pIkIh3pjK2oQxtb0F30wACLcB/s320/IMG_8580%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mono Lake's mineral-rich water is much denser than fresh water, or even the ocean.&nbsp; This means objects float higher than normal.&nbsp; Gulls have a difficult time keeping their feet in the water when they paddle, although we didn't notice that.&nbsp; Perhaps we weren't looking.&nbsp; Fully-loaded canoes float as if empty, and swimmers find it hard to sink.&nbsp; We did not test that.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOZg2_eAzp4/WS7yZH0ATWI/AAAAAAAATXI/7noT_sw3qCEo78cExxHY-JFTCKwqQ1G6QCLcB/s1600/IMG_8727%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="1600" height="119" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOZg2_eAzp4/WS7yZH0ATWI/AAAAAAAATXI/7noT_sw3qCEo78cExxHY-JFTCKwqQ1G6QCLcB/s320/IMG_8727%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lake water feels slippery.&nbsp; We tested that.&nbsp; It has a salty and bitter taste.&nbsp; We did not try it.&nbsp; The taste is caused by minerals washed into the lake by streams and springs.&nbsp; Two key ingredients are sodium chloride (table salt) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).&nbsp; These make the lake 2.5 times saltier than the ocean and 100 times as alkaline.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="1600" height="98" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-imVY0jCRXvc/WS7yZdvDwBI/AAAAAAAATXM/10_9buRL4jkUC4kH_TATBufKLIkNvVtzQCLcB/s320/IMG_8735%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mono Lake is too alkaline for fish, although it is full of other creatures ... we only saw some birds and bugs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBqppRNZvDE/WS7yavl0kXI/AAAAAAAATXQ/PVaNudQ9Hl0mnpAPhi-RqfPLaibHZOKxgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8744%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="233" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBqppRNZvDE/WS7yavl0kXI/AAAAAAAATXQ/PVaNudQ9Hl0mnpAPhi-RqfPLaibHZOKxgCLcB/s320/IMG_8744%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tufas are all over, and have some incredible shapes.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DV1DDOxMdxs/WS7ybcavWUI/AAAAAAAATXU/UTHdESF1_7sC3Iq9PbwdkQRBuFTdbmosACLcB/s1600/IMG_8758%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1600" height="199" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DV1DDOxMdxs/WS7ybcavWUI/AAAAAAAATXU/UTHdESF1_7sC3Iq9PbwdkQRBuFTdbmosACLcB/s320/IMG_8758%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like a forest of tufas has sprung up out of nowhere.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XcFpaW89Hdk/WS7yo1Gr-vI/AAAAAAAATXg/RltkEuXlVmI13xbXJCFiXvyQ8uVccaMKACLcB/s1600/IMG_8763%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XcFpaW89Hdk/WS7yo1Gr-vI/AAAAAAAATXg/RltkEuXlVmI13xbXJCFiXvyQ8uVccaMKACLcB/s320/IMG_8763%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't stop taking photos of the lovely things.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rem9BsViJ1o/WS7ymfUmJZI/AAAAAAAATXY/3RVaZXofzHw-H6IUr3vgEKK-YSTvmgIeACLcB/s1600/IMG_8770%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1600" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rem9BsViJ1o/WS7ymfUmJZI/AAAAAAAATXY/3RVaZXofzHw-H6IUr3vgEKK-YSTvmgIeACLcB/s320/IMG_8770%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each place you looked the tufas were there, in the water, out of the water, and I expect there are no two alike.&nbsp; The lake is often described as an oasis in the desert.&nbsp; Up two million birds, including 100 different species, use the lake as a stopover on their north/south migrations.&nbsp; The waterfowl have drastically declined with the loss of wetland as the lake levels have dropped, but efforts are being made to restore these in the hopes that the migratory bird numbers will increase.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FxGqFwn85hs/WS7ynQLVWnI/AAAAAAAATXc/KF9zFSjQyGQSZvOk62tTeqs6sSFCGjnSwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8789%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="942" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FxGqFwn85hs/WS7ynQLVWnI/AAAAAAAATXc/KF9zFSjQyGQSZvOk62tTeqs6sSFCGjnSwCLcB/s320/IMG_8789%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="188" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mountains provide a nice backdrop for many of them.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6JzeiLSKKDM/WS7ypFGN40I/AAAAAAAATXk/9aGKSc7F1esiDunVrO5QA7pZzxq4swESACLcB/s1600/IMG_8816%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="1600" height="188" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6JzeiLSKKDM/WS7ypFGN40I/AAAAAAAATXk/9aGKSc7F1esiDunVrO5QA7pZzxq4swESACLcB/s320/IMG_8816%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also had to try a black and white ... this looks like a little city on the ground, complete with skyscrapers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cpcb2Cf3Dlo/WS7ypvodS-I/AAAAAAAATXo/BCFHcrEhGEEKfYcYZYRxE0l7w0rRbB1gACLcB/s1600/IMG_8820%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cpcb2Cf3Dlo/WS7ypvodS-I/AAAAAAAATXo/BCFHcrEhGEEKfYcYZYRxE0l7w0rRbB1gACLcB/s320/IMG_8820%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't help taking so many photos of the tufas while we were here as they were truly fascinating.&nbsp; Plus, it was great fun to walk all around the place and parts of the lake and beaches.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;">After visiting Mono Lake we still had plenty of daylight left and decided to take a run around the June Lake Loop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There are a number of little lakes, a town, and even a place for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rgMFwXFJE2w/WS-O_EHWc7I/AAAAAAAATYU/xvJC6QhiS304Q_DJsjpNqqMgL3f60ZL_wCLcB/s1600/IMG_8843%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rgMFwXFJE2w/WS-O_EHWc7I/AAAAAAAATYU/xvJC6QhiS304Q_DJsjpNqqMgL3f60ZL_wCLcB/s320/IMG_8843%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the dogs get into fishing around here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-omXbW8g93ls/WS-O-gzSdSI/AAAAAAAATYQ/ed_79tAQ6qUCv3QfhIlS4BZ-hHNBkColQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8876%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1600" height="187" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-omXbW8g93ls/WS-O-gzSdSI/AAAAAAAATYQ/ed_79tAQ6qUCv3QfhIlS4BZ-hHNBkColQCLcB/s320/IMG_8876%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was one of the most incredible waterfalls I've ever seen.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While there I got a phone message saying my battery and charger had been found and I could send a self-addressed box and they’d drop it in the mail for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I called them and told them I’d be by to pick it up … after all, Beatty was kind of on the way back to Phoenix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bov0J85BHJM/WS-Poj65kJI/AAAAAAAATYc/CIPOPONPzpEuXoZujc1ScnmIuJn_vnxswCLcB/s1600/IMG_8885%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="1600" height="103" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bov0J85BHJM/WS-Poj65kJI/AAAAAAAATYc/CIPOPONPzpEuXoZujc1ScnmIuJn_vnxswCLcB/s320/IMG_8885%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's some beautiful country around here.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-21858672943062124262017-05-29T18:03:00.002-08:002017-05-29T18:03:54.905-08:00Escape from the Intense Heat<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The next day, Friday, May 19, we headed to Bridgeport, California, and then we’ll go to Death Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’ll hang out there a bit and then try to get to Lee Vining again in better weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>No more snow.&nbsp;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Anyway, we stopped in Truckee, and found snow again, but it wasn’t snowing; it was just up in the hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was sure glad of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hTVNC5u0xTQ/WSxn0DBuciI/AAAAAAAATUc/4LYfiT7nZecRyLT81m141f5r7SjDVD0jACLcB/s1600/IMG_8548%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hTVNC5u0xTQ/WSxn0DBuciI/AAAAAAAATUc/4LYfiT7nZecRyLT81m141f5r7SjDVD0jACLcB/s320/IMG_8548%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always like a good mural on the side of a building.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We rode around a part of Lake Tahoe, and some of the colors reminded me of what we’d seen in the Polynesian Islands … clear waters with turquoise-green water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--KlJixMO010/WSxnQj1UyvI/AAAAAAAATUU/tnPi6WZ6yc0FZAIO_X1lWyHZnuP0tyP2gCLcB/s1600/IMG_8551%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1456" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--KlJixMO010/WSxnQj1UyvI/AAAAAAAATUU/tnPi6WZ6yc0FZAIO_X1lWyHZnuP0tyP2gCLcB/s320/IMG_8551%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="291" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water and the snow-capped mountains were beautiful and the snow was just where I wanted to see it.&nbsp; Up high.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rM_CKBpX3y0/WSxniLlpXDI/AAAAAAAATUY/MY4OpkLID1Q8S5D8Ae89oJohV_4_HPf4wCLcB/s1600/IMG_8552%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="1600" height="85" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rM_CKBpX3y0/WSxniLlpXDI/AAAAAAAATUY/MY4OpkLID1Q8S5D8Ae89oJohV_4_HPf4wCLcB/s320/IMG_8552%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a pull-out where people launch boats and such and some of the big rocks seemed to have been dropped <br />willy-nilly, here and there.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">All-in-all, it was a beautiful day of riding, and we had a meal at the Bridgeport Inn in this small town that was awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Who’d a thought?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">A walk finished our evening, and we were happy to retire to blogging, reading and sleeping.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkxhvkVz9xQ/WSxoCoLUv8I/AAAAAAAATUk/IOQqbRV0c04a39lpF435MDRYQqT8Nh3eQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8553%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkxhvkVz9xQ/WSxoCoLUv8I/AAAAAAAATUk/IOQqbRV0c04a39lpF435MDRYQqT8Nh3eQCLcB/s320/IMG_8553%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More snow, far away.&nbsp; Yay.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w9C5ju11g_M/WSxoBwqGA6I/AAAAAAAATUg/FGJW4AbkT2QesBR0VsY37tF8VZxVuKLzgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8555%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1600" height="181" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w9C5ju11g_M/WSxoBwqGA6I/AAAAAAAATUg/FGJW4AbkT2QesBR0VsY37tF8VZxVuKLzgCLcB/s320/IMG_8555%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our walk-a-bout lead us to this, one of&nbsp;a couple of good-looking wagons.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The following morning (Saturday, May 20), we took off for Death Valley, and Beatty, Nevada, where we’d spend a few nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We wanted to wander around a little bit here and go up and visit the charcoal kilns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">It wasn’t a long ride, and we didn’t rush as there’s always something to see along the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We arrived in Beatty by late afternoon, had a bite to eat and made our plan for the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Sunday, May 21, was another beautiful day, and we set off to visit the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eHbarLC_vYo/WSxr9tR9c6I/AAAAAAAATUw/T9Mv5EPdhfM-uKA4lgYEI5OPWj5whTibACLcB/s1600/IMG_8582%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eHbarLC_vYo/WSxr9tR9c6I/AAAAAAAATUw/T9Mv5EPdhfM-uKA4lgYEI5OPWj5whTibACLcB/s320/IMG_8582%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corkscrew Peak is just before we started to drop into the valley, and the&nbsp; heat.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMmNIoparCs/WSxr-3Zkj1I/AAAAAAAATU0/UeDcmltt2Wg5aI4Jz9NKhOT1z5ncsNgxACLcB/s1600/IMG_8586%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1600" height="141" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMmNIoparCs/WSxr-3Zkj1I/AAAAAAAATU0/UeDcmltt2Wg5aI4Jz9NKhOT1z5ncsNgxACLcB/s320/IMG_8586%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the distance I could see where we'd be riding into the heat of the day, even though it was still early.&nbsp; I was hoping we'd get through the desert floor and up the other side before it got into the hundred-degree mark.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The road leading up to&nbsp;the kilns&nbsp;has two miles of dirt at the end, and is more like a mule trail than anything, with some larger rocks, washboard and gravel, but nothing like what we’d gone through for a short visit to Mono Lake a few days before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>(More on that later.)</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KCt9AzO1hI4/WSxxLKWPcAI/AAAAAAAATVE/15zwW9coDJIF9jpX0NmIUKjE6q4Wh3IZgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8587%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1554" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KCt9AzO1hI4/WSxxLKWPcAI/AAAAAAAATVE/15zwW9coDJIF9jpX0NmIUKjE6q4Wh3IZgCLcB/s320/IMG_8587%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the good part of the road, at the end near the parking.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The kilns are a bit off the path, 37 miles from Stove Pipe Wells, at an elevation of about 6,800-feet, so there wasn’t a crowd of people there, which was nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There are ten beehive-shaped kilns, each about 25-feet-in-heighth and about 30-feet in circumference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The kilns would hold four cords of pinyon pine logs and, after burning for a week, would produce 2,000 bushels of charcoal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They are beautiful, real works-of-art, and are thought to be the best-known surviving example of this type of kiln in the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqjBamf91Yo/WSzCPRbDx0I/AAAAAAAATVU/YwkHezdfhwI4y9hwwFUnnbaaqZsYtUNeACLcB/s1600/IMG_8591%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqjBamf91Yo/WSzCPRbDx0I/AAAAAAAATVU/YwkHezdfhwI4y9hwwFUnnbaaqZsYtUNeACLcB/s320/IMG_8591%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kilns were restored by a Navajo restoration team in 1971.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qImU7kQp9wk/WSzCbGgJugI/AAAAAAAATVc/p-4qwp4FBAYh5f41GdhZHjq1ilhowqBcgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8600%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1505" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qImU7kQp9wk/WSzCbGgJugI/AAAAAAAATVc/p-4qwp4FBAYh5f41GdhZHjq1ilhowqBcgCLcB/s320/IMG_8600%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="301" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked up the hill across the road from the kilns, looking for the perfect shot.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9_reQ0ajj_k/WSzCavTkNdI/AAAAAAAATVY/4AHK4uTI6fgUVQNGARd0sdFlKNIp5biZQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8606%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9_reQ0ajj_k/WSzCavTkNdI/AAAAAAAATVY/4AHK4uTI6fgUVQNGARd0sdFlKNIp5biZQCLcB/s320/IMG_8606%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We pretty much had the whole place to ourselves.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">They were engineered by the Swiss for George Hearst’s (yes, father of William Randolph Hearst, newspaperman), Modock Consolidated Mining Company and built by Chinese labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The charcoal produced by the kilns was to be used as fuel for two silver-lead smelters that Hearst had built 25 miles to the west.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They operated only for a short time, until the summer of 1878, when the mines closed down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05WEf1a-lDY/WSzCoBfQneI/AAAAAAAATVg/y3zAqTq07d4QEHL1IwtNJ0PUqHY2QtCXACLcB/s1600/IMG_8618%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05WEf1a-lDY/WSzCoBfQneI/AAAAAAAATVg/y3zAqTq07d4QEHL1IwtNJ0PUqHY2QtCXACLcB/s320/IMG_8618%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up on the hill we found these beautiful flowers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDJQZrF-7-M/WSzCohY666I/AAAAAAAATVk/ki8evyO0bfYZIXMXH8of2RsiGhQAuaYIwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8634%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="1600" height="190" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDJQZrF-7-M/WSzCohY666I/AAAAAAAATVk/ki8evyO0bfYZIXMXH8of2RsiGhQAuaYIwCLcB/s320/IMG_8634%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The process of turning pinyon logs into charcoal took up to two weeks.&nbsp; The burning which reduced the wood to charcoal took 6-to-8 days, and the cooling took another five days.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">It was a beautiful spot with a postcard quality, and a LOT of bugs that ate us up as we later discovered as we scratched our way through the next few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They apparently loved the bug dope we used, thinking of it as a wonderful-tasting spice on their meals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-10282546575496763082017-05-27T19:45:00.002-08:002017-05-27T19:45:27.406-08:00I Can Drive a Locomotive <span style="font-family: Calibri;">We got up and excitement was running high that Thursday, May 18.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were off to the Western Pacific Railroad Museum to drive a big, yellow locomotive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0IVnu76bKw/WSnnxUdP6mI/AAAAAAAATTQ/_j-ooj8pBC0I7lZOxFgG7iIu-24-ojqWQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8513%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1519" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0IVnu76bKw/WSnnxUdP6mI/AAAAAAAATTQ/_j-ooj8pBC0I7lZOxFgG7iIu-24-ojqWQCLcB/s320/IMG_8513%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great logo for a great museum.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">We were scheduled for 11:30 a.m., but we got there about 10, beside ourselves to get up into the cab of that engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We went inside and there were some of the workers there, volunteers mostly, that work on trains for their real jobs and then volunteer here&nbsp;during their off time.&nbsp; We got all the waivers signed, and then our instructor and we headed out to the tracks.</span></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r7H7ERxn6c4/WSnUEgVevvI/AAAAAAAATR0/ZI-MTIV4y1kgWCVIbRdn8ZxPx60eDgcOQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8546%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r7H7ERxn6c4/WSnUEgVevvI/AAAAAAAATR0/ZI-MTIV4y1kgWCVIbRdn8ZxPx60eDgcOQCLcB/s320/IMG_8546%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our locomotive, the Southern Pacific 2873 GP9, was built in 1956 and her operating weight is 247,600 pounds.&nbsp; The Southern Pacific and Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroads attempted a merger in 1983, and while it was denied in 1986 and 1987, the railroads&nbsp;had been&nbsp;confident enough that&nbsp;the merger would happen and began repainting the locomotives into a new unified paint scheme, which our locomotive sports.&nbsp; While the railroads began repainting back to the original paint schemes, some were sold with the merger paint scheme.&nbsp; The SP 2873 was found in a scrap yard in Richmond, California, and came to this museum in 1992.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KkYKPxvPahw/WSnXAVc5W_I/AAAAAAAATSA/RwgiG0A-07Eq9_Y0fCU09z5eNjklTkyUACLcB/s1600/IMG_8459%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KkYKPxvPahw/WSnXAVc5W_I/AAAAAAAATSA/RwgiG0A-07Eq9_Y0fCU09z5eNjklTkyUACLcB/s320/IMG_8459%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving a locomotive weighing thousands of pounds is pretty exciting stuff after riding an 8-900-pound motorcycle.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kVJPkAJQaPo/WSnXAatVPcI/AAAAAAAATSE/9E3hAWqpqb4Z3hzyA3yliOQdT2mzY-vswCLcB/s1600/IMG_8462%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kVJPkAJQaPo/WSnXAatVPcI/AAAAAAAATSE/9E3hAWqpqb4Z3hzyA3yliOQdT2mzY-vswCLcB/s320/IMG_8462%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our instructor, Charlie, getting us up-to-speed on running this big machine.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PR8bNcxjga8/WSnXA4miyaI/AAAAAAAATSI/xoEMpbLZz1IYwCmW3-8mr6iqWuJHjGaOwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8498%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1161" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PR8bNcxjga8/WSnXA4miyaI/AAAAAAAATSI/xoEMpbLZz1IYwCmW3-8mr6iqWuJHjGaOwCLcB/s320/IMG_8498%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="232" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We patched out in horn-blowing.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iug_55EQvqY/WSnm1OzwvdI/AAAAAAAATTI/Y5-mvWON8JcGgtWZnSCgsSbmAzSTLeiYwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8457%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1224" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iug_55EQvqY/WSnm1OzwvdI/AAAAAAAATTI/Y5-mvWON8JcGgtWZnSCgsSbmAzSTLeiYwCLcB/s320/IMG_8457%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="244" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm thinking now that the best view from a train is from inside the cab.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NxU2Vhsz94/WSnm01LwyQI/AAAAAAAATTE/W6kiULQOToIBiO-FRiMTTRVNg0FxM-LWgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8510%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NxU2Vhsz94/WSnm01LwyQI/AAAAAAAATTE/W6kiULQOToIBiO-FRiMTTRVNg0FxM-LWgCLcB/s320/IMG_8510%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's not to like about driving a locomotive ... </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These are very dedicated people who work and volunteer and as we were quite curious about the problem that might have prevented us doing our drive,&nbsp;so we got the skinny on what&nbsp;turned out to be&nbsp;a derailment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They were moving some cars and with all the rain they had had, the ground was soft, and when the cars went over the rails, the rails moved, with some of the wheels coming off the track and hitting the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was going to take at least a few weeks to get them all back on the tracks, and the locomotive rentals going again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were very fortunate that we were so persistent the previous day, so we got do to our train driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What a thrill … a big locomotive going down the track, tons of metal doing what you asked it to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But maybe the best part was blowing the horn … multiple times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were like kids in a candy store, but this was even better than candy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Woo woo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Here we come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After we finished our driving we spent a few hours wandering around, looking at all the different trains there … and it’s quite a collection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were fascinated with how many are here, and what great restoration has been done on some.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P9XkYg9uRhg/WSnYdzYFPcI/AAAAAAAATSU/ZS0pD5g4rZIrYdhodvI-xBILR1xWnEf8ACLcB/s1600/IMG_8440%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P9XkYg9uRhg/WSnYdzYFPcI/AAAAAAAATSU/ZS0pD5g4rZIrYdhodvI-xBILR1xWnEf8ACLcB/s320/IMG_8440%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were so many railcars and locomotives it was hard to see everything, but we made an attempt.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Knd8qFjS0Ww/WSnYs9xw_CI/AAAAAAAATSY/kjCH1FhmKtwBCYcY5dGklbrL33zZb7SxACLcB/s1600/IMG_8414%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1405" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Knd8qFjS0Ww/WSnYs9xw_CI/AAAAAAAATSY/kjCH1FhmKtwBCYcY5dGklbrL33zZb7SxACLcB/s320/IMG_8414%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="281" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always a personal favorite, a&nbsp;rotary&nbsp;snow blower.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OvoPcUwEmpE/WSnYs2qvxzI/AAAAAAAATSg/lt-d1jX21Bkc8YRbgNZ8SCCPUbtdyroTQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8421%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="230" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OvoPcUwEmpE/WSnYs2qvxzI/AAAAAAAATSg/lt-d1jX21Bkc8YRbgNZ8SCCPUbtdyroTQCLcB/s320/IMG_8421%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little engine was totally captivating.&nbsp; She was built in 1939 by the Electro-Motive Corporation (a division of General Motors), and weighed in at 201,000 pounds&nbsp;with a&nbsp;a top speed of 45 mph.&nbsp; The WP 501 was the Western Pacific's first diesel-electric locomotive.&nbsp; It went west in 1939 to demonstrate the virtues of diesel power and was liked so much the WP purchased this one (with an original cost of $64,525)&nbsp;and two others, marking the beginning of the company's push to eliminate the steam locomotives.&nbsp; Less than 14 years later the WP became the first large western railroad&nbsp;to be completely dieselized.&nbsp; In 1965 she and one of her sisters were transferred to Sacramento Northern and renumbered.&nbsp; She became a "hangar queen," a locomotive from which parts are stripped to keep others running, and many believed she would never run again.&nbsp; In 1980 she and her sister were repaired, eventually came to the museum and were restored to their&nbsp;original <br />Western Pacific appearance.&nbsp; &nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eh6nutbe8OQ/WSnYs9mJHgI/AAAAAAAATSc/ZXDksAL-_CIdKYPlMAiQkFtQK99f9asNQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8425%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eh6nutbe8OQ/WSnYs9mJHgI/AAAAAAAATSc/ZXDksAL-_CIdKYPlMAiQkFtQK99f9asNQCLcB/s320/IMG_8425%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little beauty was used as a Sacramento shop switcher.&nbsp; And what I like about this museum is that so many of these machines are operational ... yep, she is.&nbsp; Built in 1950, she was donated to the museum by the Sierra Pacific and is perhaps the only surviving Model TR6A.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mpgq6IeBlrk/WSndgR-q_OI/AAAAAAAATSw/wIw0RSjoMIoA9Xnrk-KajodQXrLAxny6gCLcB/s1600/IMG_8418%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1328" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mpgq6IeBlrk/WSndgR-q_OI/AAAAAAAATSw/wIw0RSjoMIoA9Xnrk-KajodQXrLAxny6gCLcB/s320/IMG_8418%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite logo, with the Feather River Route.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gne9uL-TMaA/WSndgqocDlI/AAAAAAAATS0/F-mhgGSWiSU8u8oGZESbaaAEBsXKA1jJwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8438%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1290" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gne9uL-TMaA/WSndgqocDlI/AAAAAAAATS0/F-mhgGSWiSU8u8oGZESbaaAEBsXKA1jJwCLcB/s320/IMG_8438%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="257" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stef was up and down all over these locomotives.&nbsp; The&nbsp;WP 805-A&nbsp;type was called a "covered wagon" and was purchased to power the Western Pacific's California Zephyr passenger train.&nbsp; It hauled the train between Oakland, California, and Salt Lake City, Utah from 1950 to 1970.&nbsp; It was then put into freight service. The Feather River Rail Society wanted this locomotive for its Western Pacific collection as it was the last WP California Zephyr locomotive in existence.&nbsp; It was purchased in 1987 and cosmetically restored by 1995.&nbsp; In 2000 money was raised for a complete mechanical restoration.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LX2qg_CDFTQ/WSo4AzDpfvI/AAAAAAAATTw/2U6lfTV2Z_kjYoz4BfSpi3LT3T12VM8vQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8525%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1600" height="313" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LX2qg_CDFTQ/WSo4AzDpfvI/AAAAAAAATTw/2U6lfTV2Z_kjYoz4BfSpi3LT3T12VM8vQCLcB/s320/IMG_8525%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another snow mover, a wedge plow ... zebra stripes rock.&nbsp; This plow was built in 1949, and looks like it needs a little work yet, but sure is a cool looking machine.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was time for a short break so we went back into the diesel shop, that is a working railroad shop.&nbsp; It was constructed in 1953 to repair and service the locomotives and cars for the Western Pacific Railroad.&nbsp; When the museum folks arrives, every pane of glass was broken, the plumbing disconnected and half of the track broken or missing.&nbsp; What a job to rebuild all of this and make it into a working shop with grease, locomotive parts and tools around.&nbsp; It was fascinating.</span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E3DIiIZoUOE/WSpFlUap1DI/AAAAAAAATUA/SKJclWjWGhkjhdrkSyNLWlsiYoHYLckMgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8514%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="938" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E3DIiIZoUOE/WSpFlUap1DI/AAAAAAAATUA/SKJclWjWGhkjhdrkSyNLWlsiYoHYLckMgCLcB/s320/IMG_8514%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="187" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One thing in the shop was this old railroad light ... that still works.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We wandered down the track until we found the derailed cars and wandered around them.&nbsp; Some were leaning quite badly, so we decided if the ground gave way it might not be a good place for us to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s going to be quite a job to get them back up onto the tracks as we could see where the track had moved as the cars had gone over them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>You could just picture what had happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3k89SmmWEHE/WSo3NDG0RHI/AAAAAAAATTg/fdkyWPPHIlQK8-3-aY2RwvawjSgqROn4QCLcB/s1600/IMG_8529%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1235" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3k89SmmWEHE/WSo3NDG0RHI/AAAAAAAATTg/fdkyWPPHIlQK8-3-aY2RwvawjSgqROn4QCLcB/s320/IMG_8529%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="246" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The name apparently fits.&nbsp; Some of the derailed cars in the background.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a184F2IQYHU/WSo3N2eFvBI/AAAAAAAATTo/eIog5ox9Z4kBCjilFSHRWhKsXmmoMTC7wCLcB/s1600/IMG_8531%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1357" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a184F2IQYHU/WSo3N2eFvBI/AAAAAAAATTo/eIog5ox9Z4kBCjilFSHRWhKsXmmoMTC7wCLcB/s320/IMG_8531%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="271" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see where the track moved from and to.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0evjTjQBO8U/WSo3NRqDZuI/AAAAAAAATTk/AJ-NX1mNRNwVkZ_J75VPWz2Lxq7ZbrNkwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8533%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0evjTjQBO8U/WSo3NRqDZuI/AAAAAAAATTk/AJ-NX1mNRNwVkZ_J75VPWz2Lxq7ZbrNkwCLcB/s320/IMG_8533%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the ground.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We finally figured we'd seen everything and&nbsp;we headed back to the lodge for a bite to eat, and a dip in the pool and hot tub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What a great way to end a day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-79497766120738255162017-05-24T04:57:00.000-08:002017-05-24T04:57:04.069-08:00We Need Warmer Weather<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">When we got up Tuesday, May 16, we discovered there was ice on the bikes but it had warmed up to 34 degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We figured we’d not be leaving too soon, but we did have a plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were getting out of these mountains, hopefully ahead of the rain, and going somewhere that had a better climate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Our plan was to go to Virginia City, Nevada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGyddZz-2Us/WST3uf8xUMI/AAAAAAAATPk/IrEShUadknMjyJwrVjGlM24UeQbA_iAAwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8334%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGyddZz-2Us/WST3uf8xUMI/AAAAAAAATPk/IrEShUadknMjyJwrVjGlM24UeQbA_iAAwCLcB/s320/IMG_8334%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's so much nicer to have the snow in the distance.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">It was cold riding and we were watchful for ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>All we saw were some wet spots that we avoided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’d dug my electric jacket liner out and found that it still worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I don’t have electric gloves, but at least had the warm ones that I’d worn yesterday, although they’re not as warm as I’d have liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I also discovered my rain pants had melted together, or at least it seems that way which was why I couldn’t wear them yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But the jacket helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We went through some more high passes, 7,626 feet for one of them, but there wasn’t any rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was certainly grateful as we came down to Hawthorne, and motored along a beautiful, winding road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It warmed up some, and there was a bit of sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It still wasn’t warm enough to take off any of our gear.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fg6w8Tb7SHs/WST3-ALJ48I/AAAAAAAATPo/8Q0Yypjg4XQmBzdyhfwiST6i8EzV0hZIgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8338%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fg6w8Tb7SHs/WST3-ALJ48I/AAAAAAAATPo/8Q0Yypjg4XQmBzdyhfwiST6i8EzV0hZIgCLcB/s320/IMG_8338%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We rode through some farm roads that had some major flooding.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5HjGV0gfGYs/WST4LIMhyOI/AAAAAAAATPs/xpWo49nz_Ms0HCoAO8EotgCW1O-JugUBQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8342%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5HjGV0gfGYs/WST4LIMhyOI/AAAAAAAATPs/xpWo49nz_Ms0HCoAO8EotgCW1O-JugUBQCLcB/s320/IMG_8342%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought this was interesting.&nbsp; I'm thinking they cover up the plants or seedlings to help them grow or help protect them from cold weather.&nbsp; And I can tell you, it's not been warm, so I'm figuring the little plants need all the help they can get.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">There don’t seem to be many animals either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’ve only seen a few hawks and a Jack rabbit that crossed the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Pretty slim pickings.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We made it and got checked in to our hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was blowing like crazy but we wandered downtown to get a bite to eat and do some meandering around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">There were some cool things we found along the way, surprisingly cool, in fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3MFVkgNDizA/WSUGszxFCuI/AAAAAAAATQY/eDTJEGloBM08AzHIFC0XgQnyDYYnYLpnwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8348%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3MFVkgNDizA/WSUGszxFCuI/AAAAAAAATQY/eDTJEGloBM08AzHIFC0XgQnyDYYnYLpnwCLcB/s320/IMG_8348%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="271" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who would have thought.&nbsp; An old car with a tree in it ... with a chicken hanging from it.&nbsp; Ya gotta love<br />&nbsp;anything with a chicken.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2KgQpcOV5xw/WSUG1wseRmI/AAAAAAAATQc/iuoHIyfrjiw6zMq7OHGXoVlUrEm6Kj3fwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8351%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2KgQpcOV5xw/WSUG1wseRmI/AAAAAAAATQc/iuoHIyfrjiw6zMq7OHGXoVlUrEm6Kj3fwCLcB/s320/IMG_8351%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="197" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a tardis.&nbsp; I didn't even know what one of these was until last October, and now I've found one in Virginia City.&nbsp; I did not step into it as I did not wish to be transported somewhere else ... although somewhere with a little warmer weather would have been mighty nice.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We also found a store that had a dog greeter, a black lab named Puma Brown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She wears a bandana (pink) and has her own Facebook page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPg8zJkLB1g/WSUHcyfITPI/AAAAAAAATQk/iKZG45BRGoUDTDyebumZpGf0Q_BhdrCKACLcB/s1600/IMG_8368%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPg8zJkLB1g/WSUHcyfITPI/AAAAAAAATQk/iKZG45BRGoUDTDyebumZpGf0Q_BhdrCKACLcB/s320/IMG_8368%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="311" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puma Brown, store meeter and greeter.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VR-szUD3oC4/WSUHtFZLBzI/AAAAAAAATQo/XFQn4jja1psdGkrs05uY8b4uGQXa5Yv1gCLcB/s1600/IMG_8362%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VR-szUD3oC4/WSUHtFZLBzI/AAAAAAAATQo/XFQn4jja1psdGkrs05uY8b4uGQXa5Yv1gCLcB/s320/IMG_8362%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I do love a little tourist town, though.&nbsp; Especially when there are hardly any tourists.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I have to say that staying at about 4,000-foot elevation is way better than being at 8,000 feet with snow, even if it was cold and we had to wear jackets and hats when we walked to dinner.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2OkNHMWAvh8/WSUH_ZxeNaI/AAAAAAAATQs/HfCqEocsZwMMeGtRWQrv6Q257olpDHH_wCLcB/s1600/IMG_8370%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2OkNHMWAvh8/WSUH_ZxeNaI/AAAAAAAATQs/HfCqEocsZwMMeGtRWQrv6Q257olpDHH_wCLcB/s320/IMG_8370%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="198" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Mary's in the Mountains was built in 1868, burned in 1875 and rebuilt in 1878.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-95jdzC676J8/WSUIJ7jZdnI/AAAAAAAATQw/HXs2SWGzJiEt0yyHX2upeo1pQ1ydWodYgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8383%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-95jdzC676J8/WSUIJ7jZdnI/AAAAAAAATQw/HXs2SWGzJiEt0yyHX2upeo1pQ1ydWodYgCLcB/s320/IMG_8383%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a beautiful setting up here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BkPKIrFW7V8/WSUIUtWCM7I/AAAAAAAATQ0/Bc-QhqkslYA3bK-bfLv6cIzazA7kOs-jACLcB/s1600/IMG_8393%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BkPKIrFW7V8/WSUIUtWCM7I/AAAAAAAATQ0/Bc-QhqkslYA3bK-bfLv6cIzazA7kOs-jACLcB/s320/IMG_8393%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="226" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fourth Ward School was built in 1875.&nbsp; The cut stone foundation is anchored in solid granite.&nbsp; There are 14 classrooms and&nbsp;two study halls.&nbsp; It was built to accommodate 1,025 students, from grammar to high school.<br />&nbsp;It's last class graduated in 1936.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HGGx8uXG6Lk/WSUJ0belIxI/AAAAAAAATRE/TyxZMZ5-c1Y4jT8TzsK_d3ymVcFj_Nn-ACLcB/s1600/IMG_8379%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HGGx8uXG6Lk/WSUJ0belIxI/AAAAAAAATRE/TyxZMZ5-c1Y4jT8TzsK_d3ymVcFj_Nn-ACLcB/s320/IMG_8379%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This donkey engine/steam tractor is from old Virginia City.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VSohGqAuUbE/WSUIa8ocpwI/AAAAAAAATQ4/jaVr_2P5byciRKgIoz1k59JdH8poxI_IQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8389%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VSohGqAuUbE/WSUIa8ocpwI/AAAAAAAATQ4/jaVr_2P5byciRKgIoz1k59JdH8poxI_IQCLcB/s320/IMG_8389%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little mountain bluebird is quite colorful.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We’ve done Virginia City and were now going to Portola, California, where we’ve made plans to drive a locomotive at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We hit the road on Wednesday, May 17, and arrived in Portola.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’d thought our hotel was in town, but there really isn’t much in town, or even much of a town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We walked around a bit checking it out.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfoddpqTE6k/WSUKVYlYjHI/AAAAAAAATRM/0y0wfipwOz4gSCcFB68fa8p7ZPc_XCViQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8395%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfoddpqTE6k/WSUKVYlYjHI/AAAAAAAATRM/0y0wfipwOz4gSCcFB68fa8p7ZPc_XCViQCLcB/s320/IMG_8395%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The town is set in a very nice place, a stream and hillsides.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hR0-r-BCyQQ/WSUKgtR4vKI/AAAAAAAATRQ/eQdWfmFibBMhTmBxL-m6xb-WLnQE3ZOXwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8397%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hR0-r-BCyQQ/WSUKgtR4vKI/AAAAAAAATRQ/eQdWfmFibBMhTmBxL-m6xb-WLnQE3ZOXwCLcB/s320/IMG_8397%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And there are a lot of my personal favorites ... pine cones.</td></tr></tbody></table>The place we were staying was about three miles out on a very nice winding road … a fancy resort with a golf course, pool, hot tub, spa, restaurant with linen napkins and a bar with ginger beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Haek_yBHVtQ/WSUKxavHYuI/AAAAAAAATRU/dlb98ssIGcUZtl-OZ_te4VPGcQzMmEP-QCLcB/s1600/IMG_8402%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Haek_yBHVtQ/WSUKxavHYuI/AAAAAAAATRU/dlb98ssIGcUZtl-OZ_te4VPGcQzMmEP-QCLcB/s320/IMG_8402%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a pretty upscale place, but there weren't many people here yet.</td></tr></tbody></table>The Nakoma Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s very nice, with fountains and a fancy golf course that we promptly tested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There are plans for gated subdivisions, some of which are already started, and they’re even building a new activities building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5Ba2LblJ-Q/WSULBeo4CLI/AAAAAAAATRY/XJBn-_AD8igv3aoDTCjckFf3lJNcT-pRgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8403%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5Ba2LblJ-Q/WSULBeo4CLI/AAAAAAAATRY/XJBn-_AD8igv3aoDTCjckFf3lJNcT-pRgCLcB/s320/IMG_8403%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing out the golf course, or maybe the practice putting green.&nbsp; No hole-in-one here.</td></tr></tbody></table>The rates were very reasonable; maybe it’s not quite the season yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were pleased to stay in such a nice place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And happy to park a couple of motorcycles next to a Jaguar to step up the neighborhood.<o:p></o:p><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;;"> </span><br /></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Then we got the bad news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A phone call came in from the WPRM saying we couldn’t drive the locomotive tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Well, we’ll just go on down there and find out what’s going on.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">So, off we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The young lady at the WPRM was only able to say no one could drive locomotives until probably June, but there was no real explanation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>That didn’t set too well, so we set off to find someone, anyone.<o:p></o:p><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;;"> </span><br /></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">As we wandered around there was an engine coming in and a guy got off and kind of came near us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We chatted him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And we told him we’d come all the way from Alaska to drive a locomotive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Well, the problem was that a train had derailed so the track they use for the thing like we wanted to do wasn’t open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Okay, could we just drive it a little way?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We charmed our way into driving the locomotive the following day, maybe not as far as we would have, but we’d be on that thing for an hour, running it and blowing the horn to let everyone know we were there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-85968002047054852942017-05-23T05:48:00.004-08:002017-05-23T05:48:57.180-08:00Yes, It's Riding Time Again<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Barstow was on the horizon, Sunday, May 14.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was 440 miles away, and I was meeting Stef there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was having a nice ride although there was an issue with Highway 93 in Wickenburg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It ends where I didn’t want it to end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I finally got around heading north and the way I was supposed to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>My GPS said to go south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It ends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Oh well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A short detour.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I’d stopped for gas and as this couple drove by in their car the guy leaned out the window and said, “Have an extra special good day.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>How nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was great riding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>T-shirt, vest, no helmet until California.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The California border has an inspection station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I pulled up and stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The guy wanted me to pull up a bit further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He asked if I’d like some cool air?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There was a big fan there and he turned it on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It felt good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And then I was on my way again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Barstow is our usual meeting place, a Rodeaway Inn where they remember us and treat us very nicely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Stef arrived about 4 p.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I arrived about 5:30 or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was good to meet up again and be doing a motorcycle road trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The next day, Monday, May 15, we decided to head to Lee Vining, California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There is a lake there with some cool things and we figured we’d maybe spend a day or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>That wasn’t to happen although we sure didn’t know it at the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We rode merrily on our way, stopping to take a photo here and there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>One of the places we stopped was Pearsonville, California, the Hub Cap Capital of the World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We found a few things of interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>One was the Uniroyal Gal, who is also listed in Roadside America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She’s a giant woman made of fiberglass with a blond flip hairdo.&nbsp; What we didn’t know until later when we looked her up was that there’s a flower-adorned grave behind her next to a playground, of the Muffler Queen’s husband, whoever that is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wcyAPSCdZk/WSQ6QMrqXPI/AAAAAAAATO4/9chs9Ko7_cM3DY71NlX_ubml1zVUwr4TQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8316%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wcyAPSCdZk/WSQ6QMrqXPI/AAAAAAAATO4/9chs9Ko7_cM3DY71NlX_ubml1zVUwr4TQCLcB/s320/IMG_8316%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="151" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Uniroyal Gal, known locally as the Hubcap Lady, after a former resident, Lucy Pearson, who was rumored to have a hubcap collection in excess of 80,000.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYcY9N1ClAE/WSQ8yoFxzgI/AAAAAAAATPE/TklMIlPyjHU8xASP53OGFrsg9305ebyBwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8322%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYcY9N1ClAE/WSQ8yoFxzgI/AAAAAAAATPE/TklMIlPyjHU8xASP53OGFrsg9305ebyBwCLcB/s320/IMG_8322%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We even found a load of garlic buds.&nbsp; We could smell them before we got to them and knew what they were.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRiKIo-Mpxs/WSQ9VxAY88I/AAAAAAAATPQ/Jtb_HKmWBVMFN6dPTg9VpA77A2c7hb_dwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8323%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LRiKIo-Mpxs/WSQ9VxAY88I/AAAAAAAATPQ/Jtb_HKmWBVMFN6dPTg9VpA77A2c7hb_dwCLcB/s320/IMG_8323%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="309" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We could see snow-capped mountains around us when we stopped for gas.&nbsp; It was beautiful.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We continued on our way, and the riding began to get bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We began running into a little shower here and there as we were riding through some high mountain passes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>By the time we reached Deadman Pass, at 8,036 feet, the showers had turned into a grand snowstorm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Oh crap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This wasn’t good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">It just kept coming down, sometimes at a near whiteout … I couldn’t see and my windshield was covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I kept swiping at it with my glove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was cold, and apprehensive as I didn’t know how long this would go on or if it would be worse than what it already was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Plus, I wasn’t dressed for this kind of weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I had planned on it being nice and warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; I had put on more clothes at one of our stops, but they weren't enough.&nbsp; </span>Something white blew by me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It turned out to be a sheet of ice sliding off the fairing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>We got through it and I was grateful that it hadn’t turned from Deadman to Deadwoman Pass.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j16Q76_n3uw/WSQ9FzS-3NI/AAAAAAAATPI/6TLAzlCyGbYyc5aNMRgVRtO0-EAlXAQxACLcB/s1600/IMG_8330%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j16Q76_n3uw/WSQ9FzS-3NI/AAAAAAAATPI/6TLAzlCyGbYyc5aNMRgVRtO0-EAlXAQxACLcB/s320/IMG_8330%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By the time we stopped to take photos, this was all that was left.&nbsp; The snow had slid down the windshield, and what had been on the fairing was mostly gone, too.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uK6OUDEs9lo/WSQ9NNQ1SVI/AAAAAAAATPM/c2-NNXzn5KQvz-TPkaCxTbDG6951_m2-wCLcB/s1600/IMG_8327%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uK6OUDEs9lo/WSQ9NNQ1SVI/AAAAAAAATPM/c2-NNXzn5KQvz-TPkaCxTbDG6951_m2-wCLcB/s320/IMG_8327%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was still a bit around the headlight. Ugh!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We got to our hotel and I was hypothermic, my teeth chattering and my body shaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A hot shower, the heat turned up to 77 degrees and hot water to drink helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Then I got into bed with my jammies, a fleece top and socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It made it all better.<o:p></o:p></span>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-33536420692950487082017-05-22T05:58:00.003-08:002017-05-22T05:58:55.255-08:00Motorcycling in America Again<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I was back in Phoenix with Joe and Verlie and was now reunited with my bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Joe asked me if I’d like to go on two Patriot Guard Rides on Thursday, May 11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yzhmsf-ce-A/WSJa_6w06XI/AAAAAAAATOA/fY3PYnIi4_c3J-unA-Q57ao0Jt5U8pCgQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8317%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yzhmsf-ce-A/WSJa_6w06XI/AAAAAAAATOA/fY3PYnIi4_c3J-unA-Q57ao0Jt5U8pCgQCLcB/s320/IMG_8317%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="264" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The Patriot Guard Riders is an organization based in the United States whose members attend the funerals of members of the U.S. military, firefighters, and police at the invitation of a decedent’s family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In my mind it’s a way to honor them, although it’s sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gfGg3S2QZkA/WSJamLj_7hI/AAAAAAAATN8/PAoknnJCI1c_P5Gl3zXeF7v_zNlXO5fygCLcB/s1600/IMG_8315%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gfGg3S2QZkA/WSJamLj_7hI/AAAAAAAATN8/PAoknnJCI1c_P5Gl3zXeF7v_zNlXO5fygCLcB/s320/IMG_8315%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Verlie and Joe set up the flag on my bike.&nbsp; Joe put a flag holder on it just for this purpose.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dCD89A4DH_g/WSJakIot-6I/AAAAAAAATN4/SCyHyDUdiAIYfwXXA95ghNAtn-4ubOyRwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8319%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dCD89A4DH_g/WSJakIot-6I/AAAAAAAATN4/SCyHyDUdiAIYfwXXA95ghNAtn-4ubOyRwCLcB/s320/IMG_8319%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was ready.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The first one was for a young man who’d gone down on his bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He was picking it up when a lady stopped and used her car to block and keep him safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Some nut job crashed into her, killing both her and the young man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What a waste of lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But I was proud to be there to help transition him from the church to the cemetery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">It was quite a ride, with the Patriot Guard leaders, the hearse, the rest of us, the road guards with their lights aflashing and sirens screaming, flying by to get ahead and block streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I have a big flag on my bike that is Joe’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He’s not using it because he’s working toward being a road guard so he shadows a road guard as they block traffic for the procession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Being that I have a large flag, I get to ride forward as it’s organized by large, medium and small flags, then trikes and other vehicles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The second one was for an older gentleman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This one wasn’t quite as large a procession, but I was asked to be one of the honor bikes, riding directly behind the hearse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We did another flag line at the cemetery for this man, and once again, I was honored to be a part of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">On Friday, May 12, we went to a high school baseball game, semi-finals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The first baseman, CJ, is Joe and Verlie’s nephew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They won.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As they were playing in the loser’s bracket, they would play the same team again the following evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And we’d be there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">In the meantime I took my bike in for a service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Turned out I had a warped front rotor and had a couple of oil leaks … but yay, it’s covered by warranty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The bad news was that I might not get it back until Monday and I was intending to meet up with Stef on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We chatted about it, and she would go to Barstow, our meeting place. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>I’d be there if I could, or we’d go to Plan B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We didn’t’ have one yet, but we would if necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jZ14yd53Cs/WSJcc_mkT-I/AAAAAAAATOM/cFs0sCuWFMgAasINLAQz1rjn-3oZMn38QCLcB/s1600/IMG_8324%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jZ14yd53Cs/WSJcc_mkT-I/AAAAAAAATOM/cFs0sCuWFMgAasINLAQz1rjn-3oZMn38QCLcB/s320/IMG_8324%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="176" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So I was wearing nothing but a towel, brushing my teeth, and I saw some fuzz or something fluttering in the sink&nbsp;in the lower hole.&nbsp; I was leaning over the sink so I really couldn't see what it was.&nbsp; Then I stood up and looked.&nbsp; Eeeeek.&nbsp; It was something alive, with two little legs sticking out.&nbsp; Joe.&nbsp; Joe.&nbsp; Help.&nbsp; He came.&nbsp; It was a scorpion but a pretty anemic-looking one.&nbsp; He killed it.&nbsp; Now I'm much more careful when brushing my teeth.&nbsp; But I still wear a towel.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I got a call that the bike was done on Saturday, May 13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The mechanic had worked late last night, and come in early this a.m. to finish it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In my mind, that was above and beyond, so I took him a case of beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He was very pleased as I’d called to find out what kind he liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He stood holding that case of beer like it was gold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Back to the baseball field, which is the Angel’s Spring Training field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We watched CJ’s team play again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>And they won.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They would play in the final championship game on Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’d be gone by then … somewhere in California or Nevada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Good luck to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>(I heard later they lost 6-4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But it sounds like it was a good game.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We got back to the house and I checked what I had on the bike and what I needed to take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Tomorrow I take off to do a motorcycle riding trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-38276037995168783742017-05-21T17:27:00.001-08:002017-05-21T17:27:26.577-08:00Back at sea<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We’re back on the high seas for five more days, Friday, May 5 - 9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The mad dash to Los Angeles is happening, and our cruise is winding down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The new guy, Captain Kent, is doing well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We heard and judged him by his noon announcement on our ship’s progress.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">On Cinco de Mayo we thought maybe there’d be some Mexican food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s interesting that on the ships we don’t have foods that go with the date … Mexican food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There was none to be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In fact, tonight's dinner had a lot of German food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; Maybe they don't celebrate those things.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">There have been three time changes in four days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>That takes some getting used to as we move toward California time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Do they call it ship lag?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s definitely messing with us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">There’s been the usual schedule of things to do, but we had our big hula and ukulele show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was fun, but it was sad to think I won’t see some of these women again as we’d been working together for days to learn our numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dovx5CG2I0w/WSGfci9WNmI/AAAAAAAATNY/7pBrX4e_jSMg3YW128GMlr-G4IoIum8bgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1971%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dovx5CG2I0w/WSGfci9WNmI/AAAAAAAATNY/7pBrX4e_jSMg3YW128GMlr-G4IoIum8bgCLcB/s320/IMG_1971%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group ... and what a group it was ... talent, determination and an aim to put on a great show.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;">&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PVu-EC0jw1k/WSGf3UFW69I/AAAAAAAATNg/nO_P_Ld4IyksRIt7Lgt5dyz14O6b6Qf3wCLcB/s1600/IMG_8312%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PVu-EC0jw1k/WSGf3UFW69I/AAAAAAAATNg/nO_P_Ld4IyksRIt7Lgt5dyz14O6b6Qf3wCLcB/s320/IMG_8312%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my ladies, and Vangie.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfxGPjwWthc/WSGf54OxMuI/AAAAAAAATNk/MHr83dS7vRIFq_M4xxoHlRLqQGnlp98RgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8313%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfxGPjwWthc/WSGf54OxMuI/AAAAAAAATNk/MHr83dS7vRIFq_M4xxoHlRLqQGnlp98RgCLcB/s320/IMG_8313%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More new friends.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">And I love our Hawaiian Ambassadors, Tui and Maile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They are what you think of when you think Polynesia … lovely people with a lovely way about them and hearts as big as the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I would so miss them, too, as we’ve all become family.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Srvm5YXYzmo/WSGfpGj5lbI/AAAAAAAATNc/_VctAQq_nHM2bwbom2Ar6O6sVLp_gPPvQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6587%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Srvm5YXYzmo/WSGfpGj5lbI/AAAAAAAATNc/_VctAQq_nHM2bwbom2Ar6O6sVLp_gPPvQCLcB/s320/IMG_6587%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maile, me and Tui.&nbsp; Love these folks.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We went and watched our friend Vangie who was part of the Pop Choir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were about 120 people in it with a lot of men, so it was great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They did several songs, and the sound was wonderful.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">And I went to the At Sea Fashion Show, which is passengers modeling clothing and jewelry.&nbsp; </span><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Yep, there’s lots to do … but we’re getting down to merely hours now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Wah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Then it was Tuesday, May 9, and we had to get all packed up and put our suitcases outside the cabin door for them to come and take away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>One last show we went to was the Voice of the Ocean finals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were seven contestants vying, and it was fun and a great way to end the cruise as tomorrow is it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’re done and gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We offloaded from the ship on Wednesday, May 10, and got to the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Stef flew to San Francisco and I headed to Phoenix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We would soon be on to our next adventure … motorcycle riding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-16916624518333780612017-05-20T18:08:00.001-08:002017-05-20T18:08:15.850-08:00Aloha, Hawaii ... I'm back<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">It’s been a long time, Big Island, and I’m glad to be back visiting you again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I only wish I had more time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But that’s not to be this trip.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We docked a bit before our scheduled time on Wednesday, May 3, in Hilo, one of the wettest cities in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Today, though, it was beautiful and Stef and I had planned a bicycle trip around the Kilauea crater rim, billed as the most active volcano in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It is also the longest continuously erupting volcano on the planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It wasn’t a long ride, 6-8 miles, but we were excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Before anyone was allowed off the ship, an ambulance pulled in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I saw this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A man with what appeared to be a green soft cast was taken off the ship on a stretcher and put into the ambulance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There have been lots of casualties this trip, more than any other cruise we’ve been on.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We finally got off and got to the van that would take us to the bicycle area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But first we stopped at the Jagger Museum to visit and we could see Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, 20 miles away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Best of all, there was lava bubbling up out in the crater in front of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It hadn’t been seen the day before, so we were quite fortunate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXM1S7qeqm8/WR_SHoe2IhI/AAAAAAAATKg/BtP8kvpXVCgMOcq4mBA-r3_X8LxHr-zxwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0099%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXM1S7qeqm8/WR_SHoe2IhI/AAAAAAAATKg/BtP8kvpXVCgMOcq4mBA-r3_X8LxHr-zxwCLcB/s320/IMG_0099%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How cool to see the bubbling lava.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-smK67RonIAY/WR_SbbdXCMI/AAAAAAAATKk/zFG3uEYny0sjHpft9c_37H3UOjKo5IgdwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0078%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-smK67RonIAY/WR_SbbdXCMI/AAAAAAAATKk/zFG3uEYny0sjHpft9c_37H3UOjKo5IgdwCLcB/s320/IMG_0078%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the bicycles were ready for us.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">From there we drove to a parking lot where we were fitted for our bikes, given water, and off we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was a great ride, with a number of stops, including one where they had fresh pineapple and papaya for us. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CtSGs57JSQ/WR_StKd5CnI/AAAAAAAATKs/EA2pSnbZiqwwYnyhOIGLDq1OH0T2FVDJQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0109%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CtSGs57JSQ/WR_StKd5CnI/AAAAAAAATKs/EA2pSnbZiqwwYnyhOIGLDq1OH0T2FVDJQCLcB/s320/IMG_0109%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="203" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were told to take a couple of turns around the parking lot to get used to our bikes.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fhgV9pBQCmY/WR_Srmx2RrI/AAAAAAAATKo/e15GjU21CP8iyU-PsDvbfT2HZw1CPI89gCLcB/s1600/IMG_0117%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fhgV9pBQCmY/WR_Srmx2RrI/AAAAAAAATKo/e15GjU21CP8iyU-PsDvbfT2HZw1CPI89gCLcB/s320/IMG_0117%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was nice to have a chase car.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jJjAAxQB5hk/WR_SucJQ64I/AAAAAAAATKw/whrOwCr0emQn0_YJepwwF05bziOuClrKwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0118%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jJjAAxQB5hk/WR_SucJQ64I/AAAAAAAATKw/whrOwCr0emQn0_YJepwwF05bziOuClrKwCLcB/s320/IMG_0118%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They told us not to take selfies while we were riding.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pu2u-6HAtjo/WR_TaucPiQI/AAAAAAAATK4/oobvHV6a7ysFoVm_dSjiYG18XCfgYlzIgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0128%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pu2u-6HAtjo/WR_TaucPiQI/AAAAAAAATK4/oobvHV6a7ysFoVm_dSjiYG18XCfgYlzIgCLcB/s320/IMG_0128%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are&nbsp;a lot of steam vents all over and we stopped to see some of them.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf_mDVsOq2g/WR_TbiTvgXI/AAAAAAAATK8/uIY67s4A24w-Onl9wk5X6ZFIFFrz6BVYQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0132%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf_mDVsOq2g/WR_TbiTvgXI/AAAAAAAATK8/uIY67s4A24w-Onl9wk5X6ZFIFFrz6BVYQCLcB/s320/IMG_0132%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's beautiful country, this volcano area.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We stopped at the Thurston lava tube, and as I understand they are working to change the name of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’d gone through the tube years ago, maybe in 1976.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So, it was time to do it again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-uA2mSKN1w/WR_T4lClvzI/AAAAAAAATLE/yFGGjULXKGcD90Xc2rAiTSedGRNUUEZvQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0142%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-uA2mSKN1w/WR_T4lClvzI/AAAAAAAATLE/yFGGjULXKGcD90Xc2rAiTSedGRNUUEZvQCLcB/s320/IMG_0142%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="262" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lava tube is formed when large rivers of lava flow and while the core is hot, the slower&nbsp; moving edges cool and thicken.&nbsp; When the eruption stops the lava often drains from the tube and leaves behind something like this.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jxoeTLEABSM/WR_T24Wrc-I/AAAAAAAATLA/61n-BkILWFAEaTuz7AIjdTQWjIZHqs1XgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0172%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jxoeTLEABSM/WR_T24Wrc-I/AAAAAAAATLA/61n-BkILWFAEaTuz7AIjdTQWjIZHqs1XgCLcB/s320/IMG_0172%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another stop at some lava fields, and I had to go into a hole for a photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VxDbRRZY4QM/WR_T484PcII/AAAAAAAATLI/EE4rcZdAtyEkdrN5zGcMWVFuC-Q0l2lqQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0177%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VxDbRRZY4QM/WR_T484PcII/AAAAAAAATLI/EE4rcZdAtyEkdrN5zGcMWVFuC-Q0l2lqQCLcB/s320/IMG_0177%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These red flowers are beautiful, and the lava must be good for them as they're growing quite well.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Our journey ended all too quickly; we could have gone a lot longer.&nbsp; </span><br />&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;">&nbsp;<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We arrived back at the port and then waited for our sail away as we would be heading to Honolulu.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Honolulu is a beautiful port coming in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We didn’t plan an excursion for today, Thursday, May 4, because I only have one mission … to ride in Hawaii, so I can notch state No. 50 on my belt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Finally, that mission will be completed … to ride in all 50.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I don’t know why I waited so long to get the last one.</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5pKtbCJtGh0/WSBXZu9kUrI/AAAAAAAATLs/GoXV3uNwfy8zcv0oRLZneuJUp3tPT96OACLcB/s1600/IMG_8279%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5pKtbCJtGh0/WSBXZu9kUrI/AAAAAAAATLs/GoXV3uNwfy8zcv0oRLZneuJUp3tPT96OACLcB/s320/IMG_8279%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honolulu ... and we'll be down in the middle of it.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4I93aNqdWxY/WSBYPNVfMbI/AAAAAAAATL4/OinB1ZPLN_YhMvIDbhfwHiGBMcevN7wUACLcB/s1600/IMG_0183%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4I93aNqdWxY/WSBYPNVfMbI/AAAAAAAATL4/OinB1ZPLN_YhMvIDbhfwHiGBMcevN7wUACLcB/s320/IMG_0183%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="291" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This King Kamehameha the Great statue was beautiful and glistened in the sun.&nbsp; The man was a great warrior, diplomat and leader.&nbsp; He united the Hawaiian islands into one kingdom in 1810.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Sometimes things aren’t quite so easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were going to take a city bus, but didn’t know which one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A guy said where are you going?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We aren’t sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He said, “The island is small; get lost.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So we did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We took the next bus and stayed on it til we got off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We wandered around, and found the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s a beautiful one, stunning in pink architecture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qlg_wB8mybA/WSBYWgu02AI/AAAAAAAATL8/aYh9uLbn0iwm8_i2mtbVX5caG1fKFRN-wCLcB/s1600/IMG_0189%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qlg_wB8mybA/WSBYWgu02AI/AAAAAAAATL8/aYh9uLbn0iwm8_i2mtbVX5caG1fKFRN-wCLcB/s320/IMG_0189%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="221" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach has been a landmark since 1927.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The inside of the hotel&nbsp;is no less extraordinary, although I could have lodged a complaint, if I’d been staying there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We used the ladies room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Part of the stall handle came off in my hand and I was trapped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Stef was already outside in the lobby, and there was no one else in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Finally, after much movement of the silly thing, I was able to get it open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I flew into the lobby and said, “Let’s get out of here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Off we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Svu56JO_Fn4/WSDvgFVhnZI/AAAAAAAATMc/ixzet2hcfZMf9zb_P8hIYuzTrpXDoGEDQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0192%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Svu56JO_Fn4/WSDvgFVhnZI/AAAAAAAATMc/ixzet2hcfZMf9zb_P8hIYuzTrpXDoGEDQCLcB/s320/IMG_0192%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We wandered out to the beach front of the hotel.&nbsp; It was quite the place with a great view of Diamond Head, named by British sailors in the 1800s when they mistook glittering calcite crystals in the lava rocks for diamonds.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1dSboVykkmw/WSDvaiC_3kI/AAAAAAAATMY/eGTcBVUWrvUqKicHBjZ6hnTB5ge54RgjgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0199%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1dSboVykkmw/WSDvaiC_3kI/AAAAAAAATMY/eGTcBVUWrvUqKicHBjZ6hnTB5ge54RgjgCLcB/s320/IMG_0199%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were lots of surfers waiting for the right wave.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We found Chase Cycle Rentals, and got our paperwork taken care of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He had mapped a route for us, but when we took off it appeared it might take us into the mountains and rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Not going there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Not riding in the rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We instead did our own route that included the some winding roads and some pretty beaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3j7S0f9y_t8/WSDw9qCSt4I/AAAAAAAATMw/Nn_FdnSp5Bg3Q0fnX5smFIAznTQYXRmEQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0205%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3j7S0f9y_t8/WSDw9qCSt4I/AAAAAAAATMw/Nn_FdnSp5Bg3Q0fnX5smFIAznTQYXRmEQCLcB/s320/IMG_0205%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're off.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZF54yQKQCJg/WSDw4CjLI_I/AAAAAAAATMo/P94KC39rouEr_bvqjGpFLX9pUmzeWgY2ACLcB/s1600/IMG_0206%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZF54yQKQCJg/WSDw4CjLI_I/AAAAAAAATMo/P94KC39rouEr_bvqjGpFLX9pUmzeWgY2ACLcB/s320/IMG_0206%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the hills ...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-trxbC-Arh9Y/WSDw4qF7ZsI/AAAAAAAATMs/WIr4Bme0Km486g5Co2yGUVNxDwOJhJxLQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0210%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-trxbC-Arh9Y/WSDw4qF7ZsI/AAAAAAAATMs/WIr4Bme0Km486g5Co2yGUVNxDwOJhJxLQCLcB/s320/IMG_0210%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to the beaches.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aq7fk2tyZHU/WSDxG2iINEI/AAAAAAAATM0/GBv-8xk2OEsymo6s0DK4U3dhu2XODbNsQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0211%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aq7fk2tyZHU/WSDxG2iINEI/AAAAAAAATM0/GBv-8xk2OEsymo6s0DK4U3dhu2XODbNsQCLcB/s320/IMG_0211%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's gotta be a bird photo somewhere.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The bikes got back with no damage and no tipping over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Not even a close call here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And my mission was complete.&nbsp; </span><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We got on another bus and got back to the port.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We walked around a bit, and had something cold to drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was a great day, and a kind of relaxing one with no excursions we had to get to or back from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VdIMUOUBV8/WSDyLKOuXvI/AAAAAAAATM8/VZ8coW2y4VcNkVV5YiJ9T0R06yRn_1ZxgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0217%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VdIMUOUBV8/WSDyLKOuXvI/AAAAAAAATM8/VZ8coW2y4VcNkVV5YiJ9T0R06yRn_1ZxgCLcB/s320/IMG_0217%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunalilo was the kingdom's sixth monarch and was quite popular, although he only ruled for a little more than&nbsp;a year, dying at age 39.&nbsp; His wish was to be laid to rest near his people, and that's why his tomb stands here near the entrance to Kawaiaha'o Church rather than at the Royal Mausoleum.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1CwMqpFKIIQ/WSDyMetXO3I/AAAAAAAATNE/zuKnpyUgSpsNB4ld9vgTpZEzWa6rYrgIQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0220%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1CwMqpFKIIQ/WSDyMetXO3I/AAAAAAAATNE/zuKnpyUgSpsNB4ld9vgTpZEzWa6rYrgIQCLcB/s320/IMG_0220%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kawaiaha'o Church.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MEMHr91XYr0/WSDyL81pKlI/AAAAAAAATNA/kVTAvD9LfX0zc6C--HWjgNHMxUkRcRDuACLcB/s1600/IMG_0231%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MEMHr91XYr0/WSDyL81pKlI/AAAAAAAATNA/kVTAvD9LfX0zc6C--HWjgNHMxUkRcRDuACLcB/s320/IMG_0231%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked near the Aloha Tower where we found a number of statues.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UEW5yP16OJY/WSDySpO89xI/AAAAAAAATNI/l1t2J2k2kps1LgkW0o176FNa_APm3q7JQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0237%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UEW5yP16OJY/WSDySpO89xI/AAAAAAAATNI/l1t2J2k2kps1LgkW0o176FNa_APm3q7JQCLcB/s320/IMG_0237%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="233" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aloha Tower.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EnhXkx32wTg/WSBXopYIZdI/AAAAAAAATLw/iSAt_T3kONUcPJqSDBy0HBeru_TL6d_zQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8289%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EnhXkx32wTg/WSBXopYIZdI/AAAAAAAATLw/iSAt_T3kONUcPJqSDBy0HBeru_TL6d_zQCLcB/s320/IMG_8289%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's always some action here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">While we didn’t get to my old stomping grounds, I realized I still love Hawaii.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>However, I wouldn’t want to live there anymore, and that’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I can visit any time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Back to the ship, and now as we continue on back to California, we will have a new ship captain, Captain Bill Kent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We sure liked the other, but we’ll give this guy a chance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-9993756094489352522017-05-19T18:52:00.000-08:002017-05-19T18:52:53.269-08:00At sea<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We were now pushing on to Hilo, Hawaii.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; Back into the good old&nbsp;U.S. of A.&nbsp; </span>Five days at sea, April 28-May 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Would I get bored?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I think not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Most days I played cards at 9 a.m. with my friend, Alice, from Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5gkIuRcSIdk/WR-rgvn8wZI/AAAAAAAATJ0/WjXfXFrtkagKQ0IWkOW47_6L-dyPonAxgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8309%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5gkIuRcSIdk/WR-rgvn8wZI/AAAAAAAATJ0/WjXfXFrtkagKQ0IWkOW47_6L-dyPonAxgCLcB/s320/IMG_8309%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice and me ... no money involved.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">One day I had a massage, a long one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I do like to indulge myself on the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’d go to the gym or walk the deck, read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>That’s the usual stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And deciding on the next cruise, the Greek Isles, for next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Mike, Vangie, Stef and I got our deposits done … we’ll be ready to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>If anyone is interested in where and when, I’ll give you the information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Message me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Then there were the other things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was doing hula and ukulele lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Those were 30 minutes each, with hula every day and ukulele every other day because there were so many people wanting to learn.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">In between that, there were three Hawaiian craft days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In addition, there was an orchid-lei-making class and a ribbon-lei-making class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I hardly had time to eat lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And I had no time at all to go to the destination presentations to learn what was coming up in the ports we’d be visiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YFWBHZ-qqH0/WR-spQyoG2I/AAAAAAAATKM/r5LHbBUztlggvkgHFu9iCYC9T-TkvrK7ACEw/s1600/IMG_4474%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YFWBHZ-qqH0/WR-spQyoG2I/AAAAAAAATKM/r5LHbBUztlggvkgHFu9iCYC9T-TkvrK7ACEw/s1600/IMG_4474%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchid lei-making class.&nbsp; It was fun and didn't take too long.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Evenings were spent going to the Elite Lounge to join our friends, including some new ones, Derek and Margie from Toronto, being silly and laughing and having fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Then we’d all go to dinner, occasionally in one of the excellent specialty restaurants, sometimes a movie or a show, or maybe just going back to the cabin to work on a blog or sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8DUjMas0O_s/WR-r7d1SnsI/AAAAAAAATJ8/pJcaQXwsiTIb8P-o2K_hE2gEwYPNUu4BACLcB/s1600/IMG_0063%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8DUjMas0O_s/WR-r7d1SnsI/AAAAAAAATJ8/pJcaQXwsiTIb8P-o2K_hE2gEwYPNUu4BACLcB/s320/IMG_0063%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Vangie, Mike, Margie and Stef.&nbsp; What a crew.&nbsp; We were eating at the Crown Grill, one of the specialty restaurants, and quite excellent.&nbsp; It was so good we ate there twice this trip.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdayiMQ5c44/WR-r6pGCHaI/AAAAAAAATJ4/jA3ltPbgW_YSHJEw-jAEEiEf-i_6ofnFgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0065%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdayiMQ5c44/WR-r6pGCHaI/AAAAAAAATJ4/jA3ltPbgW_YSHJEw-jAEEiEf-i_6ofnFgCLcB/s320/IMG_0065%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much left ... delicious food, right, Mike?</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I slept a lot … good sleep as the Beautiful Emerald Princess was usually rocking just right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The waves are one of the most soothing sounds in the world, I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’ll miss them when the cruise is over and we’re back on land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Six weeks on a ship is wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I don’t think there’s any reason to be bored.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />﻿<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I had noticed in the recent days when walking the deck that the water has changed color, from turquoise to the bluest sapphire I’ve ever seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Up until the seas changed and got a bit ugly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>On those days it was difficult to walk out on the deck, but it’s all part of the adventure.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We crossed the equator, and received another certificate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’re gathering wallpaper by the day, and all we have to do is be on the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But it’s all new stuff, and welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">There’ve only been one or two other ships out here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Where are they all?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Ours is a lonely life in our little community.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0Mtzmc9UYQ/WR-s7DukV6I/AAAAAAAATKI/0VR6Mw2vAkQ-QwoN9SDINaP2kn18HK3WACLcB/s1600/IMG_6539%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0Mtzmc9UYQ/WR-s7DukV6I/AAAAAAAATKI/0VR6Mw2vAkQ-QwoN9SDINaP2kn18HK3WACLcB/s320/IMG_6539%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="232" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An impromptu hula demonstration with the Hawaiian ambassadors who were playing music in the piazza.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We were scheduled to arrive in Hilo Wednesday morning, May 3, but there was excitement on Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There was a medical issue on board and Tuesday morning we were steaming as quickly as we could, at about 22 knots or so, to get to Hilo to get the person off the ship and to medical help.&nbsp; It became critical, and a helicopter evacuation had to be performed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>While I didn’t see it,&nbsp;some of my friends&nbsp;did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The helicopter sent down a medical person to evaluate the situation, then a basket came down, the person was loaded and the airlift completed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A C-130 circled around the entire time … watching … waiting to help if there was a problem with the airlift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We did hear later all went well and a full recovery was expected.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">After the rescue was complete we cut our speed to 10.8 knots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were getting too close to Hilo and we weren’t expected to arrive until 7 a.m. the next morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We ended up slowing and just doing big circles out in the ocean until it was time for us to get to the dock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GHYcUcsW1zc/WR-tyfflHeI/AAAAAAAATKQ/fJ4Qe_14VIU8bW1QLNd_VfordRH-faFhACLcB/s1600/IMG_0061%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GHYcUcsW1zc/WR-tyfflHeI/AAAAAAAATKQ/fJ4Qe_14VIU8bW1QLNd_VfordRH-faFhACLcB/s320/IMG_0061%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steam from the lava reaching the ocean.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The upside was that we spent the afternoon and night on the ocean, watching the steam come off the water where lava was flowing into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We also saw the orange glow of the lava as it came down the hillside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We wouldn’t have seen that otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-87047234888613668922017-05-17T19:20:00.001-08:002017-05-17T19:20:09.394-08:00Sharks and other beautiful things <span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moorea (pronounced MOE-oh-ray-uh and meaning golden lizard), another French Polynesian port, and another tender port, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Thursday, April 27, would be a good day for me here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZsDwGCB_sY/WR0JvBKa9rI/AAAAAAAATHc/IuIIMx586H0YYQYrxiOUNoqJHQ9l95ghwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8203%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZsDwGCB_sY/WR0JvBKa9rI/AAAAAAAATHc/IuIIMx586H0YYQYrxiOUNoqJHQ9l95ghwCLcB/s320/IMG_8203%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great way to start the day with jet skis winding their way through the water.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s a beautiful port, and we were anchored with a spectacular view of rugged mountains, beautifully-colored water, and a sailing ship right in the middle of all of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tbmYbz1b7Fk/WR0JmPcNx-I/AAAAAAAATHY/0UjZQw-t3hYL0whzK6DlcKjHfMtdCF0eQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8215%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tbmYbz1b7Fk/WR0JmPcNx-I/AAAAAAAATHY/0UjZQw-t3hYL0whzK6DlcKjHfMtdCF0eQCLcB/s320/IMG_8215%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No more gorgeous port have I seen.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Plus I had gotten a spot on a snorkeling trip … to be swimming with black-tipped sharks, rays and other fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was excited to get to go, but there was daylight burning and my excursion wasn’t until the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stef and I got off the ship and wandered around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What a beautiful place. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>We walked a bit … beautiful flowers and streams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Lots of lush greenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SViDEnR-TaU/WR0KHyqldrI/AAAAAAAATHg/Zw2u3G-MAgIS4DoCHv1by7hmLyopnrdoACLcB/s1600/DSC_0635%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SViDEnR-TaU/WR0KHyqldrI/AAAAAAAATHg/Zw2u3G-MAgIS4DoCHv1by7hmLyopnrdoACLcB/s320/DSC_0635%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="315" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bougainvillea&nbsp;flower was named for European explorer Louis-Antoinne de Bougainville.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rMENLm6epUI/WR0KH8uWBvI/AAAAAAAATHk/DR-7PI5U2bcNajUoqJxPXLwI54kRlKpMQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0642%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rMENLm6epUI/WR0KH8uWBvI/AAAAAAAATHk/DR-7PI5U2bcNajUoqJxPXLwI54kRlKpMQCLcB/s320/DSC_0642%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="255" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no idea what these are, but they sure are pretty.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And road side stands selling fruit and trinkets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were also some pretty buildings, and I was thinking about the difference between here and some of the other places we’ve visited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m glad this was our last island before heading off to Hawaii, as this one certainly is my favorite.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBQywxpRCRY/WR0KpsuP2LI/AAAAAAAATHs/eHgJD86yw5k5JiT75cCSv3-qfPRrTumAACLcB/s1600/DSC_0644%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBQywxpRCRY/WR0KpsuP2LI/AAAAAAAATHs/eHgJD86yw5k5JiT75cCSv3-qfPRrTumAACLcB/s320/DSC_0644%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="314" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love all the little roadside stands.&nbsp; There's so much character, and no one tried hard-pressure salesmanship.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PzyY6qR2Hrg/WR0KpzI8L6I/AAAAAAAATHw/1-selImJIn4otvx-iIWOkzb2bYIy1fHOgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0647%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PzyY6qR2Hrg/WR0KpzI8L6I/AAAAAAAATHw/1-selImJIn4otvx-iIWOkzb2bYIy1fHOgCLcB/s320/DSC_0647%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every direction is a postcard.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bxbvKJKQeIQ/WR0KqCrRn5I/AAAAAAAATH0/glmU6-67s1kLXxq0wywACtcbdntzBbiQwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0648%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bxbvKJKQeIQ/WR0KqCrRn5I/AAAAAAAATH0/glmU6-67s1kLXxq0wywACtcbdntzBbiQwCLcB/s320/DSC_0648%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked by a fancy house.&nbsp; I especially liked the decorative shells on top of the wall.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RdWN8jRH31c/WR0KsNOgUcI/AAAAAAAATH4/Mra86qLNRJosg2V0YZ8AV86NA2wytENYwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0656%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RdWN8jRH31c/WR0KsNOgUcI/AAAAAAAATH4/Mra86qLNRJosg2V0YZ8AV86NA2wytENYwCLcB/s320/DSC_0656%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dog fix.&nbsp; But I didn't pet him.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNyv8BvXhPs/WR0KsYAvXcI/AAAAAAAATH8/73U_Oyu1XlkV5t6F9c8qfxL8X-Ylv-kggCLcB/s1600/DSC_0659%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNyv8BvXhPs/WR0KsYAvXcI/AAAAAAAATH8/73U_Oyu1XlkV5t6F9c8qfxL8X-Ylv-kggCLcB/s320/DSC_0659%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did buy a pineapple from the dog's owner.&nbsp; He cut it up for us and we ate it right there.&nbsp; Yummy and so very sweet.&nbsp; Would we get sick?&nbsp; Nope, sure didn't.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLHGrypcMNI/WR0Kszj_zUI/AAAAAAAATIA/MrDgRWATQdk6CU3HdRLIBxxzzQoIDZaiwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0662%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLHGrypcMNI/WR0Kszj_zUI/AAAAAAAATIA/MrDgRWATQdk6CU3HdRLIBxxzzQoIDZaiwCLcB/s320/DSC_0662%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="316" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No trash in this little stream.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L1x_sN_2RIM/WR0O9I6eEYI/AAAAAAAATIQ/HRDLqkMYV640_xR8AK8FZc4U_fNzE2DQwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0664%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L1x_sN_2RIM/WR0O9I6eEYI/AAAAAAAATIQ/HRDLqkMYV640_xR8AK8FZc4U_fNzE2DQwCLcB/s320/DSC_0664%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="192" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was inside a little church ... beautiful.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lmeYgBtyYDs/WR0O8mMrpxI/AAAAAAAATIM/z2AZB8y-2WE9BGUQ_hsVBJ55FOf-sXCKgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0668%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lmeYgBtyYDs/WR0O8mMrpxI/AAAAAAAATIM/z2AZB8y-2WE9BGUQ_hsVBJ55FOf-sXCKgCLcB/s320/DSC_0668%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little dog was so cute with his dainty paws curled up.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FDOjW6vLcoE/WR0O9FHYpwI/AAAAAAAATIU/zyCHfnQtbaU_l8otfG1GI2G1y0Z_KYSuwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0670%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FDOjW6vLcoE/WR0O9FHYpwI/AAAAAAAATIU/zyCHfnQtbaU_l8otfG1GI2G1y0Z_KYSuwCLcB/s320/DSC_0670%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clean and pretty.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many think that the fictional island of Bali Hai in the movie, “South Pacific” was based on Moorea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s small, 51 square miles, and I think it’s the most beautiful one of the Polynesian ports we’ve been in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was also exceptionally clean.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eUR2oB4ZqbI/WR0O9Iv24WI/AAAAAAAATIY/7-H2Y5e0f_A4OxG-6_TteyW4sV4M4x0-gCLcB/s1600/DSC_0674%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eUR2oB4ZqbI/WR0O9Iv24WI/AAAAAAAATIY/7-H2Y5e0f_A4OxG-6_TteyW4sV4M4x0-gCLcB/s320/DSC_0674%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This young lady was watching the entertainment near the cruise port.&nbsp; She was pretty in pink.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;">Then it was time for me to get along to my excursion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I met up with the folks at the dock, boarded the boat and off we all went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We rode by some fancy beach shacks where you could swim right outside the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They were pretty nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Maybe another time.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5CYFiHJOZTs/WR0P0Rt1zxI/AAAAAAAATIk/2qpFkhwvHCY8JlM47Ku2uNM4ZcuNjhKmACLcB/s1600/DSC_0685%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5CYFiHJOZTs/WR0P0Rt1zxI/AAAAAAAATIk/2qpFkhwvHCY8JlM47Ku2uNM4ZcuNjhKmACLcB/s320/DSC_0685%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful turquoise-colored water that you couldn't wait to get into so you could enjoy all it has to offer ... snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking.&nbsp; Wish we'd had more time to many more things here.</td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">&nbsp;</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tTJq56fm4yo/WR0Pzb2PGsI/AAAAAAAATIg/X0BqL1-e6pMVnYBh0K_WbgXzarhIXJNfwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0687%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tTJq56fm4yo/WR0Pzb2PGsI/AAAAAAAATIg/X0BqL1-e6pMVnYBh0K_WbgXzarhIXJNfwCLcB/s320/DSC_0687%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a place I wouldn't mind staying.&nbsp; Unless there was rough water or a tidal wave, of course.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;">We came to a stop out near a kayak and when I looked down there were rays and sharks swimming toward us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They feed the rays, but not the sharks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Maybe we were their food?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;">I got in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s not comfortable for me, and I’m a bit slow to do it, but I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I wanted to swim with the sharks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I guess I should have been nervous, but I wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was more concerned with a ray smacking me with&nbsp;its tail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The guide was holding one and I went over to him so I could feel it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He wanted me to put my fingers in its gills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>No thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Just didn’t seem like something I wanted to do.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pv5xay-XBUk/WR0QiS0Mu1I/AAAAAAAATIw/xmwvIWjSJpgSBajb20HXEs89uuqsDTK7wCLcB/s1600/DSC_0714%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pv5xay-XBUk/WR0QiS0Mu1I/AAAAAAAATIw/xmwvIWjSJpgSBajb20HXEs89uuqsDTK7wCLcB/s320/DSC_0714%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What beady eyes he has.</td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">&nbsp;</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J075tWguN3I/WR0QifuHG6I/AAAAAAAATIs/RXxcrjS-TaM8FsoMwt2faubDJudjUOGuQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0739%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J075tWguN3I/WR0QifuHG6I/AAAAAAAATIs/RXxcrjS-TaM8FsoMwt2faubDJudjUOGuQCLcB/s320/DSC_0739%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shark heaven.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;">The rays and sharks swam all around and in between us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>None seemed bothered by us being there … of course, this wasn’t their first rodeo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was very cool, and I enjoyed it a lot.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0yj-xk8o28/WR0QsenLm6I/AAAAAAAATI8/aDqZMLxKc-AsX3bI0jiUrwFquN606JM8ACLcB/s1600/DSC_0704%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0yj-xk8o28/WR0QsenLm6I/AAAAAAAATI8/aDqZMLxKc-AsX3bI0jiUrwFquN606JM8ACLcB/s320/DSC_0704%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leg or thigh?</td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">&nbsp;</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kAtUH3yjxLI/WR0QsLgSF6I/AAAAAAAATI0/gMSGEpi18AwMgVDcfYFUy9U1jgjWOsbFQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0708%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kAtUH3yjxLI/WR0QsLgSF6I/AAAAAAAATI0/gMSGEpi18AwMgVDcfYFUy9U1jgjWOsbFQCLcB/s320/DSC_0708%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were rays and sharks in abundance.&nbsp; What a treat.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">&nbsp;</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WmNI8ZLuHJk/WR0QsHNraWI/AAAAAAAATI4/FHcUB5dGDoEQlgXFMaoOAtRj_B8D2ZQgACLcB/s1600/DSC_0712%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WmNI8ZLuHJk/WR0QsHNraWI/AAAAAAAATI4/FHcUB5dGDoEQlgXFMaoOAtRj_B8D2ZQgACLcB/s320/DSC_0712%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I even happened to get a shot of some other fish, one of 500 species in these waters.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;">Then we were off for the next part of the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were going to another area by a reef so we could swim around and see the coral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were told to be careful as the current is stronger, so I was always aware of where I was around the boat and the reef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was also fun, and I sure do like that warm water.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gERBXnuusSs/WR0Q1LAaI3I/AAAAAAAATJI/S55ro-b59i46sIp1Wis_O1f2hLboKddUQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0723%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gERBXnuusSs/WR0Q1LAaI3I/AAAAAAAATJI/S55ro-b59i46sIp1Wis_O1f2hLboKddUQCLcB/s320/DSC_0723%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goofy girl.</td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">&nbsp;</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXhlUXhbkfg/WR0Q0gHsxnI/AAAAAAAATJA/b0q--MIHWEwg2uh4G4gSkNwqxrNl3R41wCLcB/s1600/DSC_0758%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXhlUXhbkfg/WR0Q0gHsxnI/AAAAAAAATJA/b0q--MIHWEwg2uh4G4gSkNwqxrNl3R41wCLcB/s320/DSC_0758%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It seemed like I could right through this fish.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">&nbsp;</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2wvLLlpRo20/WR0Q0sqDQRI/AAAAAAAATJE/KinNVmTyJ4Yy5swysHEGGZAxOLbZKWfhwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0766%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2wvLLlpRo20/WR0Q0sqDQRI/AAAAAAAATJE/KinNVmTyJ4Yy5swysHEGGZAxOLbZKWfhwCLcB/s320/DSC_0766%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of coral out here, and they say it's growing.&nbsp; That's a good thing.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;">Then it was back to the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Well, not quite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were a few pearl things I needed … earrings, little necklaces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was quite reasonable, and I do love my jewelry.<o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--n2YMxlg6g4/WR0RoLSy_YI/AAAAAAAATJU/f2XgJWkyErod1zEtjZZbnZTbA3cn_HvCACLcB/s1600/IMG_8236%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--n2YMxlg6g4/WR0RoLSy_YI/AAAAAAAATJU/f2XgJWkyErod1zEtjZZbnZTbA3cn_HvCACLcB/s320/IMG_8236%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then we were sailing away, Moorea in our rear view mirror.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jh67QWI1rVA/WR0RoArF3BI/AAAAAAAATJY/xdBVV-gS3uQwbs7DqCmdY3_s_I8oEqe0gCLcB/s1600/IMG_8237%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jh67QWI1rVA/WR0RoArF3BI/AAAAAAAATJY/xdBVV-gS3uQwbs7DqCmdY3_s_I8oEqe0gCLcB/s320/IMG_8237%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We sailed alongside the reef.&nbsp; There's a paddle boarder out there, waiting for a wave.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YCdt6CYDUz8/WR0RoFKc2II/AAAAAAAATJQ/0_cYqOH5OtQB-ls56pBs-ONeUxeTyffCgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8261%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YCdt6CYDUz8/WR0RoFKc2II/AAAAAAAATJQ/0_cYqOH5OtQB-ls56pBs-ONeUxeTyffCgCLcB/s320/IMG_8261%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunset was spectacular, and just as thrilling as the island itself.</td></tr></tbody></table><o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;">Our time here was up, and we had to get on the high seas to head to our next adventure, five days away … Hilo, Hawaii.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></div></o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;">&nbsp;</div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-30670544828331548972017-05-16T20:09:00.002-08:002017-05-16T20:09:40.158-08:00Eyes doing just fine<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Papeete, Tahiti, was our destination for Wednesday, April 26.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Papeete (which basically means water well) is the capital of French Polynesia and has a population of about 26,000 (2012).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This was a walk-off port and our only plan was to get me to the ophthalmologist and then walk around.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">My ride had been arranged and off we went in a Ford pickup with a very-nicely-dressed female driver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She got us through traffic and narrow streets and put us off on another narrow street with lots of people and a grey-ish-colored building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Hmmmmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There was a window and I asked about the eye doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Down the block and to the left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We walked a short distance down the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were people all over, waiting, for?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We turned left and entered a large open-air type of clinic, with doctor offices located in a large square around a waiting room full of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There was a surgery, eye doctors and other specialists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I checked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>English is not the first language, but we managed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Soon I was taken back and a young lady with very little English questioned me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She then did a few eye exams, including the glaucoma puff test, and then a doctor came in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He spoke way better English and said they wanted to dilate my eye and take a look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Okay.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Back out to the lobby we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A young lady with a bottle of drops in her hand came around and put dilating solution in my eye, and the eyes of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Head up, drop, and then she moved on to the next one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was a bit intimidating as everyone mostly spoke French and these were all local folks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was glad Stef had come with me as it would have been pretty uncomfortable in a strange country, strange clinic and not speaking the language.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We sat and waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The young lady came and dilated eyes again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Not mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Then I was finally called back in and the doctor did some other checks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It appeared my eye was fine, but he also recommended having it checked again, by my regular doctor when I returned home, just to be on the safe side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I paid, in their currency, and am not exactly sure how much it cost … maybe $90???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Guess I’ll find out when I look at my credit card statement.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I felt much better about the whole situation, and so we walked back toward the ship, wandering here and there as we hadn’t been but a few minutes away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zr1O3MaJ6T0/WRvB390g6cI/AAAAAAAATGE/k62-dKEl0PE3An9lHVvoylqcC3488fcXgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0005%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zr1O3MaJ6T0/WRvB390g6cI/AAAAAAAATGE/k62-dKEl0PE3An9lHVvoylqcC3488fcXgCLcB/s320/IMG_0005%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="205" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception took nearly two decades to build.&nbsp; It can <br />accommodate up to 400 people.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4CI0A0etyCw/WRvB78wMZlI/AAAAAAAATGI/ZDgxhzHYYPUmESmSLPx-YY19HjKKys6FQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0007%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4CI0A0etyCw/WRvB78wMZlI/AAAAAAAATGI/ZDgxhzHYYPUmESmSLPx-YY19HjKKys6FQCLcB/s320/IMG_0007%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="261" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church is located at kilometric point 0.&nbsp; This is the point from where road distances are calculated all around the island.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We walked through a very large market with everything you could imagine, including some food stalls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were other shops and a couple of restaurants upstairs and that’s where we found some WiFi, for a small fee, or free with your food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lDKD_X2L3SU/WRvCQIfJ2sI/AAAAAAAATGM/MVycqPNA16kQXUoneL_T3OJJ4uzdsUGvQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0010%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lDKD_X2L3SU/WRvCQIfJ2sI/AAAAAAAATGM/MVycqPNA16kQXUoneL_T3OJJ4uzdsUGvQCLcB/s320/IMG_0010%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was everything ... food, meat, trinkets.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JG9qfVQv0fc/WRvCSNdmREI/AAAAAAAATGQ/UkARlrkJ1zMzsqXnvTxqdeOJVJXTKu35ACLcB/s1600/IMG_0013%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JG9qfVQv0fc/WRvCSNdmREI/AAAAAAAATGQ/UkARlrkJ1zMzsqXnvTxqdeOJVJXTKu35ACLcB/s320/IMG_0013%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The food all looked so fresh.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We had food that was very good, and lots of it.&nbsp; As I was finished with my food, leaving some as it was lamb, a man came to the end of the counter where we sat and asked us a question, pointing at the food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Someone from the shop came and ran him off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Apparently he was asking for the food on my plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I didn’t know as he spoke in French I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A very strange situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>If he was hungry, I would have given some if I’d known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHvHNtScNfY/WRvC5dMnmPI/AAAAAAAATGY/xfzhXzGnEacXb9C2RWPERYZ8ik-lqAbBACLcB/s1600/IMG_0016%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHvHNtScNfY/WRvC5dMnmPI/AAAAAAAATGY/xfzhXzGnEacXb9C2RWPERYZ8ik-lqAbBACLcB/s320/IMG_0016%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="234" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep.&nbsp; In French.&nbsp; The French gained control over the Tahitian Islands in 1842.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pi00jNzTi7g/WRvC7suabTI/AAAAAAAATGc/5pKDT-RmJ6oYpvAKLg1SN_MT380mJ0cAQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0024%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pi00jNzTi7g/WRvC7suabTI/AAAAAAAATGc/5pKDT-RmJ6oYpvAKLg1SN_MT380mJ0cAQCLcB/s320/IMG_0024%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While these don't look like outriggers, double-hulled outrigger canoes are called&nbsp;tipairua.&nbsp; The canoes are used in Tahitian culture for races and festivals.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We walked back down by the docks, and saw fish in metal-grate pens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Some were beautiful, and we didn’t know why they were there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were told there was sort of aquarium down at the cruise port area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Was that it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We didn’t know for sure, but there was a large variety, and some were quite colorful.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90XxfmXa0L4/WRvCugkQy8I/AAAAAAAATGU/Cj-UQECJU18yIEILZnaJhWqXcbEim3VGgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0039%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90XxfmXa0L4/WRvCugkQy8I/AAAAAAAATGU/Cj-UQECJU18yIEILZnaJhWqXcbEim3VGgCLcB/s320/IMG_0039%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we came around the fish would come to the surface, maybe thinking we had food?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">There was also a big art exhibit and they were setting up for an event for the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We saw the art and didn’t even have to go to the event, although it was pretty close to the ship and we’d be there until late in the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I just didn’t feel like getting off later as I was tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And we’d seen the art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was beautiful, arranged on big cubes, with a different photo on each side.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hwx3H6zKUVA/WRvDLQ526jI/AAAAAAAATGg/HKdec37rR6424dM-kM4hwnfLPr8-3WzyQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0028%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hwx3H6zKUVA/WRvDLQ526jI/AAAAAAAATGg/HKdec37rR6424dM-kM4hwnfLPr8-3WzyQCLcB/s320/IMG_0028%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="264" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was my favorite.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0cfVb_ygQmc/WRvDNyMeoyI/AAAAAAAATGo/N9CqeLWRdek6D3dEwJ5HD4vTJ0uPFbZ9gCLcB/s1600/IMG_0029%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0cfVb_ygQmc/WRvDNyMeoyI/AAAAAAAATGo/N9CqeLWRdek6D3dEwJ5HD4vTJ0uPFbZ9gCLcB/s320/IMG_0029%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big wave is kind of cool, too.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ePGHT5sV0_o/WRvDM1K2QQI/AAAAAAAATGk/vHikkN07SuQc7GcFOS8W2XHA-YBsDXwTACLcB/s1600/IMG_0033%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ePGHT5sV0_o/WRvDM1K2QQI/AAAAAAAATGk/vHikkN07SuQc7GcFOS8W2XHA-YBsDXwTACLcB/s320/IMG_0033%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The word "tattoo" had its origins in French Polynesia from the legend of the god of the tattoo, Tohu, painting the ocean fishes in vivid colors.&nbsp; Tattoos continue to represent ceremonial symbols across Polynesian culture.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-zUIaI9PZw/WRvDntHvbRI/AAAAAAAATGw/vMQ3kpvIHOIwvu3uxq2fgR-EqA4Be9oAgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0048%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-zUIaI9PZw/WRvDntHvbRI/AAAAAAAATGw/vMQ3kpvIHOIwvu3uxq2fgR-EqA4Be9oAgCLcB/s320/IMG_0048%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked over by the ferry terminal and found this.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzdxDAVgEkg/WRvDj7nzQjI/AAAAAAAATGs/Dw3vhfdTUfEwL-wWLRME5hmNYzjGmA4DQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0050%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzdxDAVgEkg/WRvDj7nzQjI/AAAAAAAATGs/Dw3vhfdTUfEwL-wWLRME5hmNYzjGmA4DQCLcB/s320/IMG_0050%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From which you could get a photo of this painted on the surface.&nbsp; It's 3-dimensional, so quite cool.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjBmvoDI9sI/WRvDozpNxXI/AAAAAAAATG0/fnChcFGtXrkhQOw2-gTphUd_XB9R4JaiwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0053%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjBmvoDI9sI/WRvDozpNxXI/AAAAAAAATG0/fnChcFGtXrkhQOw2-gTphUd_XB9R4JaiwCLcB/s320/IMG_0053%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Emerald Princess is loading up ... we eat a lot of potatoes, and they make some of the best mashed and au gratin.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vVxs3lH6YYg/WRvDpwnQ1NI/AAAAAAAATG4/PbeAb06HRl8nJasYr4CUcxMXia8OCM2YwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0055%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vVxs3lH6YYg/WRvDpwnQ1NI/AAAAAAAATG4/PbeAb06HRl8nJasYr4CUcxMXia8OCM2YwCLcB/s320/IMG_0055%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loading us up.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 205.4pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We got back to the ship and had some dinner, then went to the movie with Vangie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They gave us popcorn, pizza, milk and cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’ve only had popcorn before, so this is pretty special on this ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>After, I went down to the Tahitian dancers and musicians they’d brought on board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I love local talent.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qzOX0ri4neI/WRvMukjImDI/AAAAAAAATHI/ruchrS28SpMU-ymN8PLXQtnpZSxvzHZ8wCLcB/s1600/dancers%2BIMG_4445%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qzOX0ri4neI/WRvMukjImDI/AAAAAAAATHI/ruchrS28SpMU-ymN8PLXQtnpZSxvzHZ8wCLcB/s1600/dancers%2BIMG_4445%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were great ... O Tahiti E ... showcasing traditional music and dance.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-77690730796117365062017-05-15T21:36:00.001-08:002017-05-20T06:27:34.788-08:00Big Loser goes to French Polynesia<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Today’s the big day Monday, April 24, the lip syncing contest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The winner opens for the crew’s lip syncing contest later on in the cruise, and that would be fun, but there’s some really, really stiff competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>My number is Peggy Lee’s, “Big Spender,” a song that I love, and the final rehearsal went well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The only problem is that the show isn’t until 9:30 p.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Luckily, we gained an hour, and they moved it up a half hour from 10 p.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So, in reality, it will only be 8:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m thinking NoDoze.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The Explorers Lounge was packed, but my fans were in the front row, coming more than an hour in advance to be there and in the good seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Champagne was there for the contestants, so I passed mine on to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>One or two may have started early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Haha.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">And then, it was time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was first on, a bad place in the lineup as I had to follow our cruise guide, who was absolutely awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’d say he’s done it a time or twenty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>All I can say is that it was a great time, the performers did a fine job and the people who won, Ray and Cath, were the best and totally deserved the win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’d do it again in a heartbeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aEJ_kQKFNFc/WSBR8w09rQI/AAAAAAAATLY/fW-ZXrxTE4I15R1fLed55zuHu0vYvd3RgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5703%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aEJ_kQKFNFc/WSBR8w09rQI/AAAAAAAATLY/fW-ZXrxTE4I15R1fLed55zuHu0vYvd3RgCLcB/s320/IMG_5703%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta dah.&nbsp; (Photo by Stef)</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Plus I made some new friends who are absolutely wonderful people … Ray and Cath (Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious), Maria and Richard (You’re the One that I Want from the movie, “Grease”), Pat (RESPECT) and Jim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; (If you want to see the video, ask me.&nbsp; I couldn't get it to post here.)</span></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hQKOFKjWJNs/WSBSMPru5kI/AAAAAAAATLc/kZF7KMMmDGoI8D5J9uqV_nPmDw-13adRwCLcB/s1600/IMG_5754%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hQKOFKjWJNs/WSBSMPru5kI/AAAAAAAATLc/kZF7KMMmDGoI8D5J9uqV_nPmDw-13adRwCLcB/s320/IMG_5754%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group.&nbsp; Wonderful and fun people, all.&nbsp; (Photo by Stef)</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Of course, once the show was over even being a “Big Loser” I was totally ramped up and didn’t want to go to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But finally, I settled in for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yay.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The Beautiful Emerald Princess moved along and Bora Bora (pronounced Pora Pora, meaning first-born) was on the horizon for Tuesday, April 25.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was another beautiful port, but one we’d have to take a tender for as the port isn’t deep enough for the ship.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePNstOB5WLY/WRp2lWVIS2I/AAAAAAAATDQ/QbxBeUrpylwxqDyGMhFYjuB0nj_ml93ZACLcB/s1600/IMG_9919%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePNstOB5WLY/WRp2lWVIS2I/AAAAAAAATDQ/QbxBeUrpylwxqDyGMhFYjuB0nj_ml93ZACLcB/s320/IMG_9919%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was this interesting boat in the bay.&nbsp; I was told it was a tramp steamer.&nbsp; You get on it with a certain destination in mind, but you're not 100 percent sure when you'll get there.&nbsp; Sounded very interesting until I heard they didn't have a Horizon Court or an International Café where I could get a flat white coffee.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I’d had to cancel my snorkeling excursion due to the doctor’s recommendation, and was awaiting an ophthalmologist appointment a few days away in Papeete, French Polynesia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was disappointed but need to make sure my eye is okay, and it certainly feels a lot better now with the drops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">There’d been doctor visits a couple of times to find an ophthalmologist, get the appointment set up, get a confirmation and a ride to the clinic confirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Every time there’s a huge line to see the doctors … the ship of sickies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Coughing, hacking, sneezing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>It was never-ending, especially when you toss in the occasional black eye, sprained something, broken limbs, and lots of sea sickness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But I got to the head of the line every time and had very nice conversations with Doctor Kate, who I believe welcomed them from the usual ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Mike and Vangie and I took the tender in as I’d decided to walk around a bit with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Stef had gone earlier and we met up with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I quickly lost them all somewhere, but wasn’t too worried as I knew I could find my way back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There was a small market that I wandered about in, and then I stepped out toward the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghjP2gN7zwE/WRp3GxVOqmI/AAAAAAAATDY/AQXzbp8QXl45mgj5BYvwVGFpHigGBewGQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9924%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghjP2gN7zwE/WRp3GxVOqmI/AAAAAAAATDY/AQXzbp8QXl45mgj5BYvwVGFpHigGBewGQCLcB/s320/IMG_9924%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like that they can deliver flowers in the back of a pick-up truck.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Across the street there was a scooter rental place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was thinking I could maybe rent a scooter and ride about a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I wandered over and asked the young lady about renting a scooter for a few hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She spoke in either French or Tahitian to another older lady behind the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She then responded to me, “No!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>No explanation, nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was rather shocked and just left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Maybe they were all reserved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Or maybe I was too old? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Too female?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I have no idea, and didn’t follow up, although when I returned later there were still scooters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Just saying.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHo1clnnXq4/WRp4TosQoxI/AAAAAAAATDk/rLnCDO8iMEcIo3W6lrgrL3LI7HXlG1dcQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9931%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHo1clnnXq4/WRp4TosQoxI/AAAAAAAATDk/rLnCDO8iMEcIo3W6lrgrL3LI7HXlG1dcQCLcB/s320/IMG_9931%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I spotted some bright-colored canoes.&nbsp; They were pretty, just setting on the beach, waiting for someone to take them on the water.&nbsp; Wasn't me.&nbsp; Haven't tried one of these yet, but I've not ruled it out.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I wandered on down the road, and went into a grocery store to get a bottle of water as it was quite warm and I didn’t want to go through the whole heatstroke thing again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As I came out of the store, I politely asked a local man walking in if I could ask him a question for directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He wouldn’t even talk to me and pointedly moved away from me, and walked on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Wow.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EfvUIX0D4ko/WRp5WWKxJ4I/AAAAAAAATDs/qr0glzPVRpIRvLISGIZwUZFxpBD-8GuuQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9934%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EfvUIX0D4ko/WRp5WWKxJ4I/AAAAAAAATDs/qr0glzPVRpIRvLISGIZwUZFxpBD-8GuuQCLcB/s320/IMG_9934%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least the store let me use their lady's room, although it was a guy who came out of it while I waited.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2DWcg5-O0Ks/WRp5nDlkTsI/AAAAAAAATDw/G_GC4J3N_UkHfFGDdwXKzdceBDUl7KkvACLcB/s1600/IMG_9935%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2DWcg5-O0Ks/WRp5nDlkTsI/AAAAAAAATDw/G_GC4J3N_UkHfFGDdwXKzdceBDUl7KkvACLcB/s320/IMG_9935%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And there were some interesting brands of booze.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lsEYoxycYJ0/WRp57WqOL2I/AAAAAAAATD8/uDBIe771XQsfcu0SxLzWYhNHBfXg6SDNwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9937%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lsEYoxycYJ0/WRp57WqOL2I/AAAAAAAATD8/uDBIe771XQsfcu0SxLzWYhNHBfXg6SDNwCLcB/s320/IMG_9937%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I continued walking, and found that I could see volcanic steam vents around.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ct_le99SVs/WRp546cqHAI/AAAAAAAATD0/DF7tyUMAwrgSnN3ene1CHWVFaxfMEnXxgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9939%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ct_le99SVs/WRp546cqHAI/AAAAAAAATD0/DF7tyUMAwrgSnN3ene1CHWVFaxfMEnXxgCLcB/s320/IMG_9939%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="319" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was an interesting place to keep shoes.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vohKHMBJOBM/WRp58MYUXJI/AAAAAAAATEA/3S7RuJE72asmGfFa6cFHOVT4MzEqsT5XACLcB/s1600/IMG_9942%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vohKHMBJOBM/WRp58MYUXJI/AAAAAAAATEA/3S7RuJE72asmGfFa6cFHOVT4MzEqsT5XACLcB/s320/IMG_9942%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And lots of good things to eat.&nbsp; I didn't try one, though.&nbsp; Princess feeds me really well on the ship.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0pm3mIKj1U4/WRp57aCklUI/AAAAAAAATD4/uDyU0zrFM3kg0mm9yg9qTsZXW_Se1gyqgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9948%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0pm3mIKj1U4/WRp57aCklUI/AAAAAAAATD4/uDyU0zrFM3kg0mm9yg9qTsZXW_Se1gyqgCLcB/s320/IMG_9948%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I would like to try a breadfruit, though, but this was in someone's yard.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">But, there were some gentlemen playing music, and I danced hula with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Our instructor, Maile, says we should dance anytime we can, so I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MrJi6fhPgFo/WRp3kGgr3xI/AAAAAAAATDc/UD20Ks1fLOMWcOAR4nnfCzYVM5vO3j8jwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9953%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MrJi6fhPgFo/WRp3kGgr3xI/AAAAAAAATDc/UD20Ks1fLOMWcOAR4nnfCzYVM5vO3j8jwCLcB/s320/IMG_9953%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They played well, but I didn't try.&nbsp; My dancing was better than my playing.&nbsp; Was still fun.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">There was also a fabric store I entered, with bolt after bolt of beautiful, bright material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s a joy to see all the color.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NJuSifNguKs/WRp35PAOpPI/AAAAAAAATDg/7I5DzaB5qUoRhBVtzQxZ9mui5le9pKDPgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9950%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="94" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NJuSifNguKs/WRp35PAOpPI/AAAAAAAATDg/7I5DzaB5qUoRhBVtzQxZ9mui5le9pKDPgCLcB/s320/IMG_9950%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colors and the prints were magnificent.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWPjMe_ikYk/WRp6znVAykI/AAAAAAAATEI/fKwqc2nWYFsQ4XQbhTNOJ484LKlKsNzkgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9954%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWPjMe_ikYk/WRp6znVAykI/AAAAAAAATEI/fKwqc2nWYFsQ4XQbhTNOJ484LKlKsNzkgCLcB/s320/IMG_9954%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vendors lined the street, and you could buy all kinds of fun things, including windsocks, black pearl jewelry, coconuts.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">When I returned to the cruise port area I caught a bus down to a local watering hole called Bloody Mary’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>To me, it was rather a neat bar, but the most interesting thing here was the restroom sink … it was a waterfall.</span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fvjaaujv0Xw/WRp7UfppBkI/AAAAAAAATEU/6Dm_09F1qoY_qnviMUPn9qa4NVPdXa0fwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9975%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fvjaaujv0Xw/WRp7UfppBkI/AAAAAAAATEU/6Dm_09F1qoY_qnviMUPn9qa4NVPdXa0fwCLcB/s320/IMG_9975%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="295" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interesting place with&nbsp;sugar sand as a floor and coconut stumps to sit on.&nbsp; It's supposedly been a watering hole for the rich and famous, including Jack Klugman, Denzel Washington, Cameron Diaz, Carrie Underwood, Johnny Depp and Pat Tillman.&nbsp; I only wandered in, through and out.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q2pjMd76E3g/WRp7TpPRdeI/AAAAAAAATEQ/1fZB0rjYyWgMO7ZVZCtXLqpvV1yVGmtGwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9993%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q2pjMd76E3g/WRp7TpPRdeI/AAAAAAAATEQ/1fZB0rjYyWgMO7ZVZCtXLqpvV1yVGmtGwCLcB/s320/IMG_9993%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was even a traffic guard to make sure no one got run over.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-16zN6CmrROg/WRp979Kl8gI/AAAAAAAATEg/2WOecZy6h3c8R37tju5PAVhlNJv5R6MuACLcB/s1600/IMG_9972%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-16zN6CmrROg/WRp979Kl8gI/AAAAAAAATEg/2WOecZy6h3c8R37tju5PAVhlNJv5R6MuACLcB/s320/IMG_9972%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pull the ring at the upper left, and the waterfall starts so you can wash your hands.&nbsp; I tested it.&nbsp; It worked great.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_U4qpWh5djo/WRp-sqEGXyI/AAAAAAAATEo/PNaoZPKkbVUnvEJUMHtkRlnK9HbENSI7gCLcB/s1600/IMG_9979%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_U4qpWh5djo/WRp-sqEGXyI/AAAAAAAATEo/PNaoZPKkbVUnvEJUMHtkRlnK9HbENSI7gCLcB/s320/IMG_9979%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view around here sure is something to see.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KszyMljMbN0/WRp_vjDkAYI/AAAAAAAATE8/zRz2fXmdFIMabE514uCU7dcGpofFwjnpQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9986%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KszyMljMbN0/WRp_vjDkAYI/AAAAAAAATE8/zRz2fXmdFIMabE514uCU7dcGpofFwjnpQCLcB/s320/IMG_9986%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's nothing like the scent of sweet-smelling flowers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qkawtoB1Cuw/WRp_y7P1uPI/AAAAAAAATFA/DnUIL6jekBIf3oczWGeWVPjB1Ao--ytXgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9988%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qkawtoB1Cuw/WRp_y7P1uPI/AAAAAAAATFA/DnUIL6jekBIf3oczWGeWVPjB1Ao--ytXgCLcB/s320/IMG_9988%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="306" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or water so clear you can see to the bottom ... </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Back on the bus I got, and rode around to the beach and back to the ship area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>While Bora Bora is not nearly as filthy as Pago Pago, I have to say some of the locals I tried to speak with were not as friendly, except for the ones in the market trying to sell you something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j1JLfjhtybs/WRp_Psbd2dI/AAAAAAAATE0/Ox5qHwNqqD8ODv1CeBrcCNnjDOE-SJXrwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0001%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j1JLfjhtybs/WRp_Psbd2dI/AAAAAAAATE0/Ox5qHwNqqD8ODv1CeBrcCNnjDOE-SJXrwCLcB/s320/IMG_0001%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But the water and the beaches are gorgeous.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tbGZeBPa3o/WRp_PWFlFvI/AAAAAAAATEw/g09qjLs7HUcflyDAH9WoZG81f6fRR0GdQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9994%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tbGZeBPa3o/WRp_PWFlFvI/AAAAAAAATEw/g09qjLs7HUcflyDAH9WoZG81f6fRR0GdQCLcB/s320/IMG_9994%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I love the palm trees.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I made it back onto the ship in time for a perfect afternoon tea with little sandwiches, scones and cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; Despite a few downsides, i</span>t all ended on a high note.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lqjo4wrYDZI/WRqBGi8uvxI/AAAAAAAATFM/zomGveOjI-IVHbKNqkcnMM9D2kNJMGzrACLcB/s1600/IMG_0073%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lqjo4wrYDZI/WRqBGi8uvxI/AAAAAAAATFM/zomGveOjI-IVHbKNqkcnMM9D2kNJMGzrACLcB/s320/IMG_0073%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then it was time to sail away.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uBe_CKPkWY/WRqBHlyNcDI/AAAAAAAATFU/-reKKN5P1Sg8S32rgS1940hhvTJ5fvcpACLcB/s1600/IMG_0122%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uBe_CKPkWY/WRqBHlyNcDI/AAAAAAAATFU/-reKKN5P1Sg8S32rgS1940hhvTJ5fvcpACLcB/s320/IMG_0122%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were reefs on either side of us.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yt7tTMGcMLA/WRqBHlfD66I/AAAAAAAATFQ/ZSiSiVJBvHglu5Pyn6XBs_HXtYtNR28QACLcB/s1600/IMG_0129%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yt7tTMGcMLA/WRqBHlfD66I/AAAAAAAATFQ/ZSiSiVJBvHglu5Pyn6XBs_HXtYtNR28QACLcB/s320/IMG_0129%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The island is small,&nbsp;only six miles long and two-and-a-half miles wide, with a population of 8,927 (2007).&nbsp; Small, but oh, so beautiful, with an ideal average temperature of 79 degrees.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-54844294403094900782017-05-12T13:15:00.001-08:002017-05-12T13:15:48.044-08:00Polynesia, Here We Come<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We arrived in Pago Pago, (pronounced Pahngo Pahngo in the Samoan language) on Saturday, April 22.&nbsp; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">About 11,500 people live in Pago Pago (2000), which is on the Island of Tutuila, the largest island of American Samoa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s located about 4,200 miles southwest of San Francisco and has been a territory of the U.S. since 1900 when the harbor was used as the site of an American naval base.</span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span>The port from the ship was incredibly beautiful, palm trees swaying gently in the breeze, turquoise-blue water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>We were eager to get off the Emerald Princess and explore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But, due to construction on the wharf, the usual tie ups were gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Non-existent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The stern of the ship was secured, but there was no place for the bow to be tied off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It seemed strange that no one apparently thought to inform our Captain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Eventually, after some shuffling of other boats, and some climbing over construction and another small boat, the bow was secured at a tie up quite a distance away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I didn’t realize our ship had so much rope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’d bet our Captain was fuming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We finally got off the ship about an hour late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were dancers who greeted us and it was lovely to hear the music and watch them.</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0YBZxdqKQS4/WRCNNxBuEjI/AAAAAAAATBQ/eJuB4Y4C4_4iNHG2n0W4pN2EicJyojKNQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9804%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0YBZxdqKQS4/WRCNNxBuEjI/AAAAAAAATBQ/eJuB4Y4C4_4iNHG2n0W4pN2EicJyojKNQCLcB/s320/IMG_9804%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="177" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tree was carved, and so pretty.&nbsp; We've seen a couple of these on this trip.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Our mission today was to walk around and find the StarKist Tuna Factory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We walked to it as we could see it from afar around from where the harbor was located.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It turned out to be further than I’d thought, about three miles, and hotter than hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We stopped at a little market and got bottles of water, but by then it was too late and I was already heat struck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>(I’m sure that isn’t a real word.) <o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-COh9Mqpidq4/WRCNAPtBBRI/AAAAAAAATBM/_zHuxyIUYh4jofXuoyxaBAI1kAKPO02YQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9831%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-COh9Mqpidq4/WRCNAPtBBRI/AAAAAAAATBM/_zHuxyIUYh4jofXuoyxaBAI1kAKPO02YQCLcB/s320/IMG_9831%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found it.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Anyhow, I was horribly overheated, and so we decided to take a local bus back to the docks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was a fun experience as it was filled with local folks who were friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The bus was small, and cost us a dollar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The driver had on great music and all we really needed was to have a chicken on board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But no luck there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The Pago Pago people were exceptionally friendly and the town could be so much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But it was filthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There was trash everywhere -- in the waterways, the drains, along the roads, in the cemetery, anywhere you looked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were abandoned buildings, a dead cat along the sidewalk and just a general feeling of rundownness and shabbiness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>What’s ironic is that today is the 47<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Annual Earth Day, and caring for the planet includes conserving water, saving energy and minimizing waste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I don’t believe word has reached the island.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bkRqcqdc9GI/WRCNojD8KNI/AAAAAAAATBU/PzsoN6bNGKc0ouqC41BmgEJDWYwej1y9gCLcB/s1600/IMG_9813%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bkRqcqdc9GI/WRCNojD8KNI/AAAAAAAATBU/PzsoN6bNGKc0ouqC41BmgEJDWYwej1y9gCLcB/s320/IMG_9813%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So sad.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-prbXQL6f5RE/WRCOCGhLduI/AAAAAAAATBY/QWPKOPYAFW8zC_kWRN1MwAXK_MB81u2ygCLcB/s1600/IMG_9815%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-prbXQL6f5RE/WRCOCGhLduI/AAAAAAAATBY/QWPKOPYAFW8zC_kWRN1MwAXK_MB81u2ygCLcB/s320/IMG_9815%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure what this was, but it was interesting.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiydLqP1ZuE/WRCOPGucB8I/AAAAAAAATBc/denhqAMvlgkdVe7HsJd_9iz4Ze4qsYcWQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9818%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiydLqP1ZuE/WRCOPGucB8I/AAAAAAAATBc/denhqAMvlgkdVe7HsJd_9iz4Ze4qsYcWQCLcB/s320/IMG_9818%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little bandstands or meeting spots were pretty although don't seem to be used much.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao0Ajowqx3c/WRCOvZQGdpI/AAAAAAAATBg/08PUmIrP3cE-p14PL1aGz-b0uZGHFiDRwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9819%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao0Ajowqx3c/WRCOvZQGdpI/AAAAAAAATBg/08PUmIrP3cE-p14PL1aGz-b0uZGHFiDRwCLcB/s320/IMG_9819%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an above-ground grave.&nbsp; I'm fascinated with these and graveyards. Why is that?&nbsp; The peace and quiet, perhaps?&nbsp;This was well-kept and beautiful with a heart memorial at the top.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n3pOfN5BkrE/WRCPLHn-3FI/AAAAAAAATBk/uoanGBxmV40sHzmFFDAOPbEF-vHEdKJeQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9822%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n3pOfN5BkrE/WRCPLHn-3FI/AAAAAAAATBk/uoanGBxmV40sHzmFFDAOPbEF-vHEdKJeQCLcB/s320/IMG_9822%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little further on down the road, this one was not as well-kept.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I don’t know that I’d come back again because of the trash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yet, the people were so welcoming and it’s so beautiful that I hope they can figure out how to clean it up because everyone we spoke with felt the same about how trashy it was, yet how friendly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JFHbtLKQr0/WRCQCwkvYTI/AAAAAAAATBo/vCcB8348kEQ70A7nGI8umn3-UiAU28rbACLcB/s1600/IMG_9824%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JFHbtLKQr0/WRCQCwkvYTI/AAAAAAAATBo/vCcB8348kEQ70A7nGI8umn3-UiAU28rbACLcB/s320/IMG_9824%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church we saw was beautiful and clean, and so colorful.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67Ps9utsxPw/WRHHcRnAxqI/AAAAAAAATB4/GAS3E2mJej00o0SEKWkPyUQuwmQ3DWCeQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9827%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67Ps9utsxPw/WRHHcRnAxqI/AAAAAAAATB4/GAS3E2mJej00o0SEKWkPyUQuwmQ3DWCeQCLcB/s320/IMG_9827%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are the remains of so many buildings that you wonder what was they once were.&nbsp; And why they're now vacant.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eGWLWB_m5jQ/WRHHvelYcEI/AAAAAAAATB8/QvLWzdUTzRU9prVUF1MdLj51N1ARbdPEQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9832%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eGWLWB_m5jQ/WRHHvelYcEI/AAAAAAAATB8/QvLWzdUTzRU9prVUF1MdLj51N1ARbdPEQCLcB/s320/IMG_9832%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was an interesting car ornament.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQNqZhmgA40/WRHIKuC0x3I/AAAAAAAATCA/J5aHpUjflUAE3LYRi3InGwprm89xiobAwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9834%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQNqZhmgA40/WRHIKuC0x3I/AAAAAAAATCA/J5aHpUjflUAE3LYRi3InGwprm89xiobAwCLcB/s320/IMG_9834%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw these guys repairing nets.&nbsp; Big nets.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XeqIhLgj0o/WRHIeFwsC3I/AAAAAAAATCE/1wgIeqsBN18F4Xe6fas_cIHSeNyn-piVgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9836%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XeqIhLgj0o/WRHIeFwsC3I/AAAAAAAATCE/1wgIeqsBN18F4Xe6fas_cIHSeNyn-piVgCLcB/s320/IMG_9836%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pago Pago harbor can handle ships of up to a 32-foot draft and has a ship repair facility.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Once we got back near the dock I felt a bit better and we walked some the other way and stopped for a cold drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’ve had heat stroke before and it’s not good, so we went back to the ship, I drank a lot of water and took a dip in the pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>My eyes felt funny, though, as though my lens implants were fogged up from the heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’ve not had that happen before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Strange.</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rxqzi6QpQrA/WRYji8rMpOI/AAAAAAAATCo/gCVZEvM58qUyPWbTIFN2A_SKdXkv0iNLQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9858%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rxqzi6QpQrA/WRYji8rMpOI/AAAAAAAATCo/gCVZEvM58qUyPWbTIFN2A_SKdXkv0iNLQCLcB/s320/IMG_9858%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were also sent off with dancers.&nbsp; How beautiful they were.</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;﻿﻿<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LysgIxQKyRg/WRYji_zTJYI/AAAAAAAATCk/RcvisFqah_IpRlDOyfospVch2FOyoH-mgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9891%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LysgIxQKyRg/WRYji_zTJYI/AAAAAAAATCk/RcvisFqah_IpRlDOyfospVch2FOyoH-mgCLcB/s320/IMG_9891%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="312" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />﻿</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb3NFXBYDvA/WRYjiSK5qyI/AAAAAAAATCg/ZW9wFdzKpOIFBMsBTaj4Y3mG80T7WI4swCLcB/s1600/IMG_9866%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb3NFXBYDvA/WRYjiSK5qyI/AAAAAAAATCg/ZW9wFdzKpOIFBMsBTaj4Y3mG80T7WI4swCLcB/s320/IMG_9866%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="292" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Security.&nbsp; Quite stylish.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Another Princess ship arrived, the Sea Princess who is smaller, and she was parked right behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It didn’t appear there was much room between the two.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--XNCFhgR5rU/WRYkSoodJKI/AAAAAAAATCw/_SjKTRiKdRU--snJcNUCy7vzeRIqj9bRQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9892%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--XNCFhgR5rU/WRYkSoodJKI/AAAAAAAATCw/_SjKTRiKdRU--snJcNUCy7vzeRIqj9bRQCLcB/s320/IMG_9892%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much room there.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Later we went up to watch the sail-a-way and it was like our thousand-foot-long ship was on a lazy Susan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She thrust out from the dock and spun around, and away we went, heading out of the harbor, tooting our horn to let everyone know we were the biggest, baddest thing in the around.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sATTunnw5U/WRYkhYCPc8I/AAAAAAAATC0/b5r4iWw3Qe8s0HISXYuNOBdoFOHSz-0BQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9912%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1sATTunnw5U/WRYkhYCPc8I/AAAAAAAATC0/b5r4iWw3Qe8s0HISXYuNOBdoFOHSz-0BQCLcB/s320/IMG_9912%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower Pot Rock, at the entrance, or exit as this was, when we sailed away from Pago Pago.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We had another at-sea day April 23, so I had scheduled a massage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But I woke up with something in my eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was watering and hurt like crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I couldn’t keep it open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I couldn’t close it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I washed it out with eye drops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>That didn’t help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I took a shower and cleansed it some more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>That didn’t help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I decided if it didn’t start feeling better in a few hours, by the time the medical center opened, I’d go down and have them take a look at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I got down and got in line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were quite a few people there, and nearly all but me seemed to be there due to coughing and sore throats and all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The people on this ship have been a bit sickly, colds, flu, that type of thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">My turn came pretty quickly as I’d been there early and I saw Doctor Kate, from South Africa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She’s a tall, lovely young lady, and she took a look in my eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She couldn’t see anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She then dilated it, but still could see nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>She called in her associate, and he said my eye looked okay although it appeared there might be something toward the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But as they deal mostly in trauma, they couldn’t tell if there was anything really going on, and whatever it might be, wasn’t life-threatening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And it didn’t appear there was any retinal detachment, which is a good thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">My eye continued hurting and watering so it appeared I was crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Doctor Kate gave me eye drops for the pain and the inflammation and asked if I’d like her to look for an ophthalmologist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I said yes as I wanted to be sure all was well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The drops helped and within a couple hours I felt way better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>However, I had been told to not exercise, to cancel my excursions as they could be problematic, and to check back the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The no exercising order meant I could take the lift, and not walk the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Woo hoo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So I had a massage instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Very nice, and so relaxing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-72387883490427486952017-05-06T15:21:00.001-08:002017-05-06T15:21:45.631-08:00Our Personal Groundhog Day <span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Wednesday, April 19, we arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, for the last time on this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We hadn’t arranged any excursions as we’d spent time here on our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’d decided to walk around town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So we walked, and took care of some business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I wanted a haircut, and we found a sign for what appeared to be a small place, up a little, narrow stairway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was very small, a couple of chairs, one guy working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Hmmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>You always have to wonder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But I got a haircut, and the guy did a great job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-20EzKWVzSbY/WQ5XgxCxdcI/AAAAAAAATAE/NkW-J4ntN9snVvQYmWnpNFphevFyxJGOwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0595%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-20EzKWVzSbY/WQ5XgxCxdcI/AAAAAAAATAE/NkW-J4ntN9snVvQYmWnpNFphevFyxJGOwCLcB/s320/DSC_0595%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo is for my good friend, Mike Sweet.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our next order of business was to find a store with what was our favorite yogurts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We did, and sat and ate them on a bench outside a fitness gym where we could watch all the young people going in and out at about noon …<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was like heaven as they make some awesome yogurt here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They should as one of their main exports is dairy products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5yxfeT_Jz1w/WQ5XT4MgSII/AAAAAAAATAA/LA0sDKzWywMj5ahONCz8diLSa7WWM_LrwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0596%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5yxfeT_Jz1w/WQ5XT4MgSII/AAAAAAAATAA/LA0sDKzWywMj5ahONCz8diLSa7WWM_LrwCLcB/s320/DSC_0596%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Zealand produces about 200 pounds of butter and 143 pounds of cheese per person each year.&nbsp; Considering that just Auckland has about a million-and-a-half people, that's a lot of dairy.&nbsp; And don't forget, for the approximately four million people on New Zealand, there are nine sheep for each.&nbsp; So, dairy and lamb.&nbsp; And lots of timber.&nbsp; And kiwi.&nbsp; Yum.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Auckland is known as the “City of Sails” as there are about 135,000 yachts and launches in the harbor, more per capita than any other city in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We had wandered down by Queen’s Wharf and Prince’s Wharf and various docks and walked around a lot of them, and then up and down the various walkways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was a nice walk with lots to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We ended up walking about 7 miles and I was ready to get back to the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YIkgPBxMcEU/WQ5YJ2aOyKI/AAAAAAAATAM/A0MezVeC2F4QpGB75LqLrJvnIh7A9vz5ACLcB/s1600/DSC_0601%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YIkgPBxMcEU/WQ5YJ2aOyKI/AAAAAAAATAM/A0MezVeC2F4QpGB75LqLrJvnIh7A9vz5ACLcB/s320/DSC_0601%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="153" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was pretty cool spinning art, with the Sky Tower in the background.&nbsp; It didn't even squeak as it turned in the wind.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLHX3bIN3e0/WQ5YzDP691I/AAAAAAAATAU/mM2XwET6aQwCo4TDewZjLDzCFTOdIcovwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0606%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLHX3bIN3e0/WQ5YzDP691I/AAAAAAAATAU/mM2XwET6aQwCo4TDewZjLDzCFTOdIcovwCLcB/s320/DSC_0606%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not exactly sure what type of monument this was, but it looked kind of like a chariot or maybe a sheep head to me.&nbsp; I chose to think of a chariot.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDuqe2unWHA/WQ5ZJHN6DbI/AAAAAAAATAY/RcekJvzgssMDPnqkG6W3T33M2h5QY6KpQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0617%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDuqe2unWHA/WQ5ZJHN6DbI/AAAAAAAATAY/RcekJvzgssMDPnqkG6W3T33M2h5QY6KpQCLcB/s320/DSC_0617%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found another fence with locks.&nbsp; This one seemed to be a fence of love.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ajTNf0CAQqY/WQ5Zc4XGuoI/AAAAAAAATAc/DHGURg1yj5o75AYYtESJrHGZPdhgA1oFACLcB/s1600/DSC_0619%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ajTNf0CAQqY/WQ5Zc4XGuoI/AAAAAAAATAc/DHGURg1yj5o75AYYtESJrHGZPdhgA1oFACLcB/s320/DSC_0619%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="271" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awwwwww.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_mLPN51uV8/WQ5ZpKiBHoI/AAAAAAAATAg/moQR1A3AJ34QDCIwXaOGnk77OXrMw6_ogCLcB/s1600/DSC_0624%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_mLPN51uV8/WQ5ZpKiBHoI/AAAAAAAATAg/moQR1A3AJ34QDCIwXaOGnk77OXrMw6_ogCLcB/s320/DSC_0624%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then there they were ... beach chairs.&nbsp; They roll on railway tracks if you want to move them, but I think they were made for giants.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I found out today was that the step counter on my phone would work without actually being on the Internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So I used it and now I’ll be keeping track, even on the ship.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Sz6pjF2mgs/WQ5aTxvloII/AAAAAAAATAo/AMwD1geTHc4JK7pdU6BL93-IVUMljlEOACLcB/s1600/IMG_9786%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Sz6pjF2mgs/WQ5aTxvloII/AAAAAAAATAo/AMwD1geTHc4JK7pdU6BL93-IVUMljlEOACLcB/s320/IMG_9786%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So long, New Zealand.&nbsp; We loved you and will be back again.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">April 20 arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The first one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As we’re across the International Dateline we get the same day twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’ve continued to play cards and am enjoying it a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Guess I need to find some card players when I get home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>For winter, that is.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway, I signed up for a lip syncing competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We had to choose a song, and I picked “Big Spender” by Peggy Lee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There are about seven or eight acts, that include “Chantilly Lace,” “Like a Virgin,” “Respect,” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It should be great fun, especially since I’ve never done it before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’ll have several rehearsals and then a show where the audience picks their favorite.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of our group was unhappy because we didn’t get to use the show crew’s props and costumes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A couple in the lounge where we were rehearsing left in a huff because we were playing loud music, although our director, Mikey, had made an announcement we’d be doing so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And we were done in probably less than an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Oh well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We had a great time playing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve also started going to beginning hula and have learned we’ll be doing a show later on in the cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m barely finding time to walk the decks and go to the gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But weight wise, I’m holding my own, and am even down a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So I’m happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course, to offset any possible weight loss, we had dinner in one of the paying venues tonight, The Crown Grill, with Vangie and Mike .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s excellent and where can you get filet mignon and other wonderful food for $29?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were glad we’d sprung for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And will do it again before we leave the Beautiful Emerald Princess.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like the movie, “Ground Hog Day” we’re reliving April 20 again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The movie repeats it multiple times and I’m hoping we only do it twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We crossed the International Dateline again and got back the day we lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In fact, we got a certificate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>More paper I have to keep.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another at-sea day dawned on April 21, but it was full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There was hula, lip sync practice, and now ukulele lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I want to learn that, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The ukulele folks are going to play a couple of songs with the hula group, so it should be quite a show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDuqe2unWHA/WQ5ZJHN6DbI/AAAAAAAATAY/RcekJvzgssMDPnqkG6W3T33M2h5QY6KpQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0617%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDuqe2unWHA/WQ5ZJHN6DbI/AAAAAAAATAY/RcekJvzgssMDPnqkG6W3T33M2h5QY6KpQCLcB/s320/DSC_0617%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-67385253891824096772017-05-02T08:40:00.002-08:002017-05-02T08:40:27.871-08:00A Real Kayak Trip <span style="font-family: Calibri;">We steamed into Tauranga, New Zealand, for the second time on Tuesday, April 18. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>This time it wasn’t pouring down rain, but was sunny with fluffy, white clouds that indicated we’d have a great day.&nbsp; Tauranga is home to about 123,500 people (2014), and was settled when the Maori were drawn here by an abundance of seafood.&nbsp;</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4H6b3g9nSLg/WQivUHcE2aI/AAAAAAAAS-c/aRkqbqP7vEoM0aLl2yEZ7yWHqlqLqkz0QCLcB/s1600/DSC_0503%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4H6b3g9nSLg/WQivUHcE2aI/AAAAAAAAS-c/aRkqbqP7vEoM0aLl2yEZ7yWHqlqLqkz0QCLcB/s320/DSC_0503%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Maunganui looked way nicer in the sun rather than the rain when we walked around the base of it the last time.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had heard that one meaning of Tauranga is “sheltered anchorage” and another is “place of rest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As we try to pick the adventure excursions that are more strenuous and there’s not likely so many people on them, I wasn’t so sure about “place of rest.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>We were going on a kayaking and thermal pools excursion today, the one that had been cancelled the first time we’d been here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’d have to paddle for an hour or so and I was a bit nervous about it as I don’t have much upper body strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Crap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I don’t have much strength at all although I’ve been doing a little work on that on the cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Maybe I should have rethought this when we didn’t get to go the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Never gave it a thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They took us to Lake Rotoiti, about 45 minutes away from our ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’d be gone for about 6-1/2 hours today, and what a great several hours it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">First we were given Mars bars (which I don’t like so I didn’t eat it) and a bottle of water, and then we geared up with life jackets and paddles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were also given skirts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>These are to put over the hole in the kayak to keep water out and keep you dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They hang over us with suspenders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I wasn’t too sure as I was afraid of the kayak tipping over and me not being able to get out of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TolQ1ERg9fs/WQiwH2Wg2mI/AAAAAAAAS-k/Z_2sZOHF0uEKgAmsC11oHxf7nWT4ycEKACLcB/s1600/DSC_0509%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TolQ1ERg9fs/WQiwH2Wg2mI/AAAAAAAAS-k/Z_2sZOHF0uEKgAmsC11oHxf7nWT4ycEKACLcB/s320/DSC_0509%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="309" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We looked ready to kayak.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDKnNCXsIUk/WQiww4kz8gI/AAAAAAAAS-s/mAWpofJrKb4q30xXS94OswNwbr5IzdeVACLcB/s1600/DSC_0511%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDKnNCXsIUk/WQiww4kz8gI/AAAAAAAAS-s/mAWpofJrKb4q30xXS94OswNwbr5IzdeVACLcB/s320/DSC_0511%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stef was going to steer and was checked out on the controls.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were given a bit of instruction on how to paddle as a team, loaded up into our kayaks and pushed into the water to practice until all of us were together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A minute or two, and I was totally comfortable in the water, and I was paddling, happy as could be.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had calm water, with a brilliant sun and a few clouds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Even better, there were black swans here in the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was wonderful, paddling along, enjoying the water and the beautiful homes along the shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There is apparently no real road into these places so it’s quite nice and peaceful on the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was quiet and relaxing.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Js6FC7woBcw/WQixq7uwvAI/AAAAAAAAS-0/uaI60sjcLKImQ6qeVLdo6-dC71PfqvWzwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0513%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Js6FC7woBcw/WQixq7uwvAI/AAAAAAAAS-0/uaI60sjcLKImQ6qeVLdo6-dC71PfqvWzwCLcB/s320/DSC_0513%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's always a great day when I see swans.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-drAjlmzSo3M/WQiyMbH1yBI/AAAAAAAAS-4/N8HPW4V5FGIWLu7MMundwZgY44yX46KMACLcB/s1600/DSC_0524%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-drAjlmzSo3M/WQiyMbH1yBI/AAAAAAAAS-4/N8HPW4V5FGIWLu7MMundwZgY44yX46KMACLcB/s320/DSC_0524%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water was perfect and everyone was paddling like pros.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our tour had been split into two groups and our group was now paddling along until we came to a small cave in the rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were told there were glow worms here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>One of our guides took the kayaks into the cave, two at a time, as the cave opening is quite narrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He then would push one kayak ahead into an even smaller opening in the rocks where your eyes would adjust and you could see the little worms … or maggots as he said they really are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But the word maggot doesn’t seem quite as romantic as glow worm, so it’s not used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There weren’t as many as in the caves we’d visited specifically just to see them, but it was still so nice to see these in a very non-commercial setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-CsQgZFkFw/WQizEl_YAiI/AAAAAAAAS_A/pRhucxtNRDEyszqXynmX_ct2uib7SFlXwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0532%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f-CsQgZFkFw/WQizEl_YAiI/AAAAAAAAS_A/pRhucxtNRDEyszqXynmX_ct2uib7SFlXwCLcB/s320/DSC_0532%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We waited our turn to go into the cave.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As our guide would push us in, he was standing in waist-deep water as there wasn’t room for him in his kayak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He said the crawfish nibble his toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Every now and then he’d let a little yip when one would nibble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was fun, and then we were off again, to the other side of the lake.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once we arrived on the other side where the Manupirua thermal pools were, we landed on the beach and they gave us sandwiches and other snacks for a lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Then it was pool time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WuaSe-6f6K0/WQizWeE35pI/AAAAAAAAS_E/GMjInVMdx40e6v_9uAPaJjYxTBZrM6lkACLcB/s1600/DSC_0535%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WuaSe-6f6K0/WQizWeE35pI/AAAAAAAAS_E/GMjInVMdx40e6v_9uAPaJjYxTBZrM6lkACLcB/s320/DSC_0535%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The setting was beautiful, and as the other group had gone to go see the cave, we had it mostly to ourselves.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z78CDEwSNtU/WQizn7vYPGI/AAAAAAAAS_I/ZhZpODAdGeQt5ccWWIAfD23rguTvikuzACLcB/s1600/DSC_0537%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z78CDEwSNtU/WQizn7vYPGI/AAAAAAAAS_I/ZhZpODAdGeQt5ccWWIAfD23rguTvikuzACLcB/s320/DSC_0537%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, this was nice.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are multiple pools, with the top one usually being the hottest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They cool as they drain from pool-to-pool, finally emptying into the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It felt great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I went from the thermal pools to the lake and back again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The setting was perfect, looking out to the lake, laying in a thermal pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What a life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We met Donna and Mark, the anniversary couple who fell off the raft yesterday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>I enjoyed them as they’re a very nice couple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>And they have a great sense of humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gwbu1HskTsY/WQixLKHxkqI/AAAAAAAAS-w/cIvyy7XR_DgFzRe0PdwTF-Dzg4FmzUqdgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0512%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gwbu1HskTsY/WQixLKHxkqI/AAAAAAAAS-w/cIvyy7XR_DgFzRe0PdwTF-Dzg4FmzUqdgCLcB/s320/DSC_0512%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="217" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donna and Mark.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then it was time to head back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was hungry now, so I ate the Mars bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was a bit tiring toward the end of the paddling, but it was a great excursion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The best one on this cruise so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was fun, and we never, ever felt rushed like so many excursions seem to be.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATrw9bqTdas/WQi0w-7uhNI/AAAAAAAAS_U/rxgeT4bkLGIUwO5LeoUAGO17AJ8a5JFZQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0565%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATrw9bqTdas/WQi0w-7uhNI/AAAAAAAAS_U/rxgeT4bkLGIUwO5LeoUAGO17AJ8a5JFZQCLcB/s320/DSC_0565%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back across the lake we paddled.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N3xgD64W11c/WQi0aNXJ5aI/AAAAAAAAS_Q/r-Vf7MTy4D4AqvUct2jNdeinsoIFLKX_QCLcB/s1600/DSC_0567%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N3xgD64W11c/WQi0aNXJ5aI/AAAAAAAAS_Q/r-Vf7MTy4D4AqvUct2jNdeinsoIFLKX_QCLcB/s320/DSC_0567%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite photo of the day.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LMRZ8ubSL6k/WQi1Jqn8v1I/AAAAAAAAS_Y/CNWyjDHV5QcijYIsVPEtMLHXayiEwgJQQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0576%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LMRZ8ubSL6k/WQi1Jqn8v1I/AAAAAAAAS_Y/CNWyjDHV5QcijYIsVPEtMLHXayiEwgJQQCLcB/s320/DSC_0576%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are two kinds of kiwis, the green one we're used to and the yellow, that I've never seen nor had.&nbsp; The yellow are grown on ropes that look like this.&nbsp; The green are grown lower, kind of like grapes.&nbsp; Now I want to eat a yellow one.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H8rYJDG4-PU/WQi1x7ATIBI/AAAAAAAAS_g/azWzpjmdOC8V7aZUGS4jEwH2k6qhpKb_gCLcB/s1600/DSC_0592%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H8rYJDG4-PU/WQi1x7ATIBI/AAAAAAAAS_g/azWzpjmdOC8V7aZUGS4jEwH2k6qhpKb_gCLcB/s320/DSC_0592%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All too soon it was time to say good bye to the sacred mountain at the harbor entrance.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We met up in the evening with Mike and Vangie for appetizers in the Club Fusion for the Elite Lounge group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We then go to dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s become our routine, and a good one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We all talk about our day and what we’ve done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>How can we find so much to talk about every day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Usually it’s 2-3 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I was tired today and my elbows ache a bit from paddling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It could be way worse tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Where’s the Tylenol?<o:p></o:p></span></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-34518897078016669942017-04-30T09:02:00.001-08:002017-04-30T09:02:11.888-08:00Rafting and Art Deco<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Napier, the Art Deco Capital of the World, was next on our trip as we arrived Monday, April 17.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In 1931 a big earthquake destroyed everything, raising the inner harbor and other areas, and leaving more than 7,000 additional acres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>All the new construction was built as art deco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We were going river rafting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I haven’t done that since the 80s in Denali National Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What a blast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VABLiDUJvo0/WQYNue4GsDI/AAAAAAAAS8I/DttfWUFIHrANln8p5Hx3YXj9q8Ze1sd4gCLcB/s1600/DSC_0356%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VABLiDUJvo0/WQYNue4GsDI/AAAAAAAAS8I/DttfWUFIHrANln8p5Hx3YXj9q8Ze1sd4gCLcB/s320/DSC_0356%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were all geared up with rain jackets, pants and life jackets.&nbsp; We were ready to go.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLnDFjDcI-o/WQYPa3ZiqPI/AAAAAAAAS8Y/gkCfrPSgXx00O6ieOJO5pThW2sN3xYi6QCLcB/s1600/DSC_0369%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLnDFjDcI-o/WQYPa3ZiqPI/AAAAAAAAS8Y/gkCfrPSgXx00O6ieOJO5pThW2sN3xYi6QCLcB/s320/DSC_0369%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were rafting the Mohaka River, which means "place for dancing."</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kh4DrhIoE5U/WQYP47M83sI/AAAAAAAAS8c/D6cRDQqgjgIiu3fJ9TZQ1AGK-sYBru3iACLcB/s1600/DSC_0370%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kh4DrhIoE5U/WQYP47M83sI/AAAAAAAAS8c/D6cRDQqgjgIiu3fJ9TZQ1AGK-sYBru3iACLcB/s320/DSC_0370%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was some white water.&nbsp; I don't remember what they classify this river, not a big one.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5h0SDEvlB8/WQYQK0GR61I/AAAAAAAAS8g/3Dyf5tNcR_gYMOMvvAJiTgAZLqBn2EDcwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0381%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5h0SDEvlB8/WQYQK0GR61I/AAAAAAAAS8g/3Dyf5tNcR_gYMOMvvAJiTgAZLqBn2EDcwCLcB/s320/DSC_0381%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were some beautiful gorges that we rafted through, rising high on the one side,&nbsp;so we&nbsp;craned our necks to see all the way&nbsp;to the top.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-58jyJckj_24/WQYRMfOlOQI/AAAAAAAAS8k/q6wgtTAe1aIZ9r0t6hVP_Y7_r41n_O-UQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0387%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-58jyJckj_24/WQYRMfOlOQI/AAAAAAAAS8k/q6wgtTAe1aIZ9r0t6hVP_Y7_r41n_O-UQCLcB/s320/DSC_0387%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We worked our way around the bends, marveling at the scenery.<br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">It turns out the two who fell out of the one raft were a married couple on their 35<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">th</span></sup> wedding anniversary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Their names were Mark and Donna, and what an exciting memory to have on your anniversary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I had hoped they’d consider it a good one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I chatted with them later and they seemed to think so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And this wasn’t the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Great folks and a great sense of humor.</span><o:p></o:p></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VgnRHgG5UHc/WQYRm8vGCWI/AAAAAAAAS8o/AtlxKydEqfwow5WRVxM82o2w-AlLXM3LQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0393%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VgnRHgG5UHc/WQYRm8vGCWI/AAAAAAAAS8o/AtlxKydEqfwow5WRVxM82o2w-AlLXM3LQCLcB/s320/DSC_0393%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we rafted around still more bends.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uE3XDzMrGew/WQYR5rJYiEI/AAAAAAAAS8s/pd_zyhAjz8w28joJlZk7lL0R1dlL0-ApgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0400%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uE3XDzMrGew/WQYR5rJYiEI/AAAAAAAAS8s/pd_zyhAjz8w28joJlZk7lL0R1dlL0-ApgCLcB/s320/DSC_0400%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The photographer is standing on the rock to the right taking our pictures.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDCQvfusrdg/WQYSPLW-vqI/AAAAAAAAS8w/jATXWCWtVb44ng33eXtmaDQxSyw6o5pQwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2199%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDCQvfusrdg/WQYSPLW-vqI/AAAAAAAAS8w/jATXWCWtVb44ng33eXtmaDQxSyw6o5pQwCLcB/s320/IMG_2199%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And he got some good ones.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The river was high due to lots of rain this year, so it was running faster than usual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were several rafts of us, and on one a lady fell out, and on another two people fell out. I saw the photos from the fallout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Wow.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gpsno9Fnrqk/WQYSfGXzt5I/AAAAAAAAS80/7pS7A4IqdgIixSfudLJG2IITTtGTX7GoACLcB/s1600/DSC_0414%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gpsno9Fnrqk/WQYSfGXzt5I/AAAAAAAAS80/7pS7A4IqdgIixSfudLJG2IITTtGTX7GoACLcB/s320/DSC_0414%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a great day filled with sunshine.&nbsp; Napier has about 2,258 hours of sunshine and a little over 30 inches of rain in a year..&nbsp; January and February are the warmest months with an average high around 75 degrees.&nbsp; July and August are the coolest with a high of about 57 degrees.&nbsp; We had great temperatures.<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6u9YMteLoI/WQYTrfAlE4I/AAAAAAAAS9A/91OCm2EiWuoGYpXtwyLy0ozacsGUlNLsQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0454%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6u9YMteLoI/WQYTrfAlE4I/AAAAAAAAS9A/91OCm2EiWuoGYpXtwyLy0ozacsGUlNLsQCLcB/s320/DSC_0454%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hillsides look like green velvet.&nbsp; There are about nine sheep to every person in New Zealand.&nbsp; And there are roughly four million New Zealanders.&nbsp; That's a lot of sheep, and we can say from experience, they're hard to get a photograph of as they seem to know we want a picture and turn their butts and run from us, even when we're passing through on a bus.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We were done rafting a bit early so our bus driver took us so we could at least get a glimpse of some of the art deco, and what beautiful buildings they were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Next time I’d opt to wandering around the little town and taking a peek at it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And, the guide even entertained us a bit playing a concertina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was fun, and different.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbqXsN74al0/WQYUqojyGtI/AAAAAAAAS9I/rsNRma6owvsZ_OE55YX7e3Lhp3cRPQGkQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0468%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbqXsN74al0/WQYUqojyGtI/AAAAAAAAS9I/rsNRma6owvsZ_OE55YX7e3Lhp3cRPQGkQCLcB/s320/DSC_0468%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The archway along the water was pretty.&nbsp; No big hotels or buildings here as the beach is for the public since the earthquake took down all the buildings on the waterfront.&nbsp; That's a great idea.&nbsp; We wished we'd had time to do some beach walking.&nbsp; Next time.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7jy31KNGTI/WQYVMYCCkYI/AAAAAAAAS9Q/jG9CyRFRGAY3Y2c8mLbJ_rI4wK10SeEaQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0475%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7jy31KNGTI/WQYVMYCCkYI/AAAAAAAAS9Q/jG9CyRFRGAY3Y2c8mLbJ_rI4wK10SeEaQCLcB/s320/DSC_0475%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out at Hawke's Bay, named by Captain James Cook in 1769 after Sir Edward Hawke, First Lord of the Admiralty.&nbsp; This work is something of beauty, but I don't remember what it's for.&nbsp; I like it anyway.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s6AbuZbXq_s/WQYV2myFuZI/AAAAAAAAS9Y/wHKvl57nAKgnwqUBHTGO_D7H6vHyzax-wCLcB/s1600/DSC_0477%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s6AbuZbXq_s/WQYV2myFuZI/AAAAAAAAS9Y/wHKvl57nAKgnwqUBHTGO_D7H6vHyzax-wCLcB/s320/DSC_0477%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This statue is Pania, a figure from Maori mythology.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3S-vW8Kr0QQ/WQYWH1Wxj_I/AAAAAAAAS9c/gYcmb_jpYSokah5xqd9t27W-nmIB5eS8gCLcB/s1600/DSC_0483%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3S-vW8Kr0QQ/WQYWH1Wxj_I/AAAAAAAAS9c/gYcmb_jpYSokah5xqd9t27W-nmIB5eS8gCLcB/s320/DSC_0483%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napier is the second-largest settlement in the Hawke's Bay area of New Zealand's north island, with a population of 57,240 (2014)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmzX-Kp5P0Y/WQYWoUYV9sI/AAAAAAAAS9g/sus4qdOQQxolOumNoJwQvYfujEebTiNgACLcB/s1600/DSC_0484%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmzX-Kp5P0Y/WQYWoUYV9sI/AAAAAAAAS9g/sus4qdOQQxolOumNoJwQvYfujEebTiNgACLcB/s320/DSC_0484%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napier has 123 art deco buildings, combining linear symmetry of art deco with tribal Maori motifs.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">As we were driving back to the ship, we were stopped by the police.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There’s a new one for you … a Princess excursion tour bus being chased by a cop car with the lights running code, siren ablaring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Turns out when our driver was transferring fuel from one tank to another, some was leaking as the valve wasn’t completely closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Fixed, and on our way after a wave from the police and some big smiles on their part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The excitement never ends with us.</span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6V_Plv-NJPw/WQYXGZ6rAUI/AAAAAAAAS9k/hwe1SERUFeMhJfDsDD52T9GwQRASRuHoQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0494%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6V_Plv-NJPw/WQYXGZ6rAUI/AAAAAAAAS9k/hwe1SERUFeMhJfDsDD52T9GwQRASRuHoQCLcB/s320/DSC_0494%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back at the dock there were eight or nine vintage vehicles and folks dressed up in period costumes.&nbsp; It was great.&nbsp; This was my favorite.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJNAq9HlQeE/WQYXkNZG_qI/AAAAAAAAS9s/urLNllHXx_EMtc8L1PiyQTHLPz_annOPwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0495%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJNAq9HlQeE/WQYXkNZG_qI/AAAAAAAAS9s/urLNllHXx_EMtc8L1PiyQTHLPz_annOPwCLcB/s320/DSC_0495%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every vehicle was as shiny as could be.&nbsp; They were beautiful.&nbsp; What a lovely way to end our time on shore.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EtZ-y2ed19k/WQYPR6m562I/AAAAAAAAS8U/eKr7CmIAkfs4246oCOZjCyj7Aavalv9CQCEw/s1600/IMG_9754%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="92" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EtZ-y2ed19k/WQYPR6m562I/AAAAAAAAS8U/eKr7CmIAkfs4246oCOZjCyj7Aavalv9CQCEw/s320/IMG_9754%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a nice send-off committee of sailboats.&nbsp; It was great.&nbsp; And our pilot's boat was coming to get him.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-it-wXrZkqIo/WQYX5U-7orI/AAAAAAAAS9w/DJhzWnkIE4waI9J9sO4byyuezYiQThWYACLcB/s1600/IMG_9770%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-it-wXrZkqIo/WQYX5U-7orI/AAAAAAAAS9w/DJhzWnkIE4waI9J9sO4byyuezYiQThWYACLcB/s320/IMG_9770%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had two boats to pick up the pilot, one of which was in training and working to pick up the pilot from our ship.&nbsp; The old hand finally came to get him.&nbsp; It was like dance&nbsp;choreography.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><o:p><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span></o:p>&nbsp;It was another great day, with fun, excitement, and most importantly, lots of warmth and sunshine.<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-65346774197586716562017-04-29T22:35:00.002-08:002017-04-29T22:35:26.510-08:00Sandwiches and VWs<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">On April 16, Easter Sunday, we arrived at Wellington, New Zealand, our second time here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We went up to breakfast before we got off the ship and there were balloons and crepe paper egg decorations for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>How nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">This time we had decided to just walk about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>When we were getting off the ship there was a working Beagle named Fergus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I wasn’t allowed to pet or photograph him, but he jumped on me a few times, so I believe he knew I was a Beagle person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>At every port there are announcements to not take food off the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And guess what … people do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Therefore, we have dogs to sniff it out, and what better dog to sniff out food than a Beagle?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I heard Fergus got the job done and one less sandwich made it to shore.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F2trrXo7e2w/WQS93OHo6zI/AAAAAAAAS5k/APHmECyePMwjXlCd1wjk3Pnip0aH5vEQQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9602%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F2trrXo7e2w/WQS93OHo6zI/AAAAAAAAS5k/APHmECyePMwjXlCd1wjk3Pnip0aH5vEQQCLcB/s320/IMG_9602%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Beagle pillow would have to do.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">During our walkabout we found some of the things our port lecturer had talked bout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Cuba Street was a cool little street where there are some fun sculptures. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>We had to photograph them, and then we walked to the War Memorial and the Te Papa Museum, although it was so crowded we didn’t really want to tour it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We just continued to walk and found more cool buildings and sculptures. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1O6j75n6Yk/WQTAHjOlZTI/AAAAAAAAS58/ulfyS5MgLhE50ib2hJiVIvptbc0zdlO1QCLcB/s1600/IMG_9601%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1O6j75n6Yk/WQTAHjOlZTI/AAAAAAAAS58/ulfyS5MgLhE50ib2hJiVIvptbc0zdlO1QCLcB/s320/IMG_9601%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuba Street ... what an interesting street.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0tU0FHYlo2E/WQTApAUQWDI/AAAAAAAAS6E/1GmvmlGTGtcmEUdY3YGtvyNQ67GLFH50gCLcB/s1600/IMG_9609%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0tU0FHYlo2E/WQTApAUQWDI/AAAAAAAAS6E/1GmvmlGTGtcmEUdY3YGtvyNQ67GLFH50gCLcB/s320/IMG_9609%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="177" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A day for sculptures and signs.&nbsp; The bucket fountain&nbsp;is made up of buckets with water&nbsp;cascading down starting at the top,&nbsp;from one to the next. Very cool.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7EoIYWpgZI/WQTBMPhQfVI/AAAAAAAAS6M/_HK5Fm5Qr5kJSwm8QgmBsP6EPVxBNOe-ACLcB/s1600/IMG_9616%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7EoIYWpgZI/WQTBMPhQfVI/AAAAAAAAS6M/_HK5Fm5Qr5kJSwm8QgmBsP6EPVxBNOe-ACLcB/s320/IMG_9616%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An elaborate restaurant sign.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7FzwdHZewc/WQTCKwIkmEI/AAAAAAAAS6U/73wjWgJsSgMeMNjHRifx5ZH0feZAAvfAACLcB/s1600/IMG_9618%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7FzwdHZewc/WQTCKwIkmEI/AAAAAAAAS6U/73wjWgJsSgMeMNjHRifx5ZH0feZAAvfAACLcB/s320/IMG_9618%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lights seem to be fancy sometimes.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSSqGiEXstQ/WQTC2NMp-BI/AAAAAAAAS6c/fk_S1MDrjG0ujR9op9iZNrtJynveVHhxQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9619%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PSSqGiEXstQ/WQTC2NMp-BI/AAAAAAAAS6c/fk_S1MDrjG0ujR9op9iZNrtJynveVHhxQCLcB/s320/IMG_9619%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This sign is by the fish market.&nbsp; Seems appropriate.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4xpogs3xG6U/WQTDWznQ9LI/AAAAAAAAS6g/Fp1lD9zQf887QhVyfo-7u5XwN9s-n5PUwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9622%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4xpogs3xG6U/WQTDWznQ9LI/AAAAAAAAS6g/Fp1lD9zQf887QhVyfo-7u5XwN9s-n5PUwCLcB/s320/IMG_9622%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="235" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful entrance sign to the restaurant.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lsPCncl2SQ/WQTDy_RbqWI/AAAAAAAAS6k/rJRu1UZ8GeEiePYMm_Qs7X4M77eoSHktwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9627%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lsPCncl2SQ/WQTDy_RbqWI/AAAAAAAAS6k/rJRu1UZ8GeEiePYMm_Qs7X4M77eoSHktwCLcB/s320/IMG_9627%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The War Memorial opened in 1932, is&nbsp;beautiful inside and out.&nbsp; Parts have been added, such as the hall of memories in 1964.&nbsp; The memorial acknowledges the impact of war on the nearly 30,000 New Zealanders who have died in conflict and honors all who have served.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6mwYDeDfPs/WQTESbPxLtI/AAAAAAAAS6s/S84cltNucSIs4Qb1uLiM8uuhk8Ujh-edQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9665%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6mwYDeDfPs/WQTESbPxLtI/AAAAAAAAS6s/S84cltNucSIs4Qb1uLiM8uuhk8Ujh-edQCLcB/s320/IMG_9665%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="176" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This statue is dedicated to the medics and ambulance drivers and the donkeys that were used to bear stretchers.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1TFRDXtIHs/WQS-rCcNtOI/AAAAAAAAS5s/0XhBq79s9EoHvB5feorUeO2dGptqxCJcgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8928%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1TFRDXtIHs/WQS-rCcNtOI/AAAAAAAAS5s/0XhBq79s9EoHvB5feorUeO2dGptqxCJcgCLcB/s320/IMG_8928%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Parliament Building is known as the Beehive.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">There was a VW car show on Queen’s Wharf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Old ones, new ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was so fun to see all of them.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rGPv-vBPbMA/WQTGJOnzPjI/AAAAAAAAS64/1lwo2HyRF0YKL4kx4VzVaulhIINJW5oQgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9684%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rGPv-vBPbMA/WQTGJOnzPjI/AAAAAAAAS64/1lwo2HyRF0YKL4kx4VzVaulhIINJW5oQgCLcB/s320/IMG_9684%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="247" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was pretty rough, but I loved the luggage.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WNUL7mvqBoA/WQTGzh5qM1I/AAAAAAAAS7A/yW30odfuC1kN79h8ZH20j7KORg0rbroCACLcB/s1600/IMG_9685%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WNUL7mvqBoA/WQTGzh5qM1I/AAAAAAAAS7A/yW30odfuC1kN79h8ZH20j7KORg0rbroCACLcB/s320/IMG_9685%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, old 76.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qm3CATpW5CA/WQTHMTw4OJI/AAAAAAAAS7E/s3tA8ZzuCpYYJyVHV0ffRAZ31kWM4RJ2ACLcB/s1600/IMG_9686%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qm3CATpW5CA/WQTHMTw4OJI/AAAAAAAAS7E/s3tA8ZzuCpYYJyVHV0ffRAZ31kWM4RJ2ACLcB/s320/IMG_9686%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one reminded me of a friend who has passed, Sunflower.&nbsp; She loved sunflowers.&nbsp; She and her dad rode with us, from when she was a youngster.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We saw some dogs so I could get a real dog fix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>One was part Rhodesian Ridgeback who is still a puppy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He’s eaten part of a couch, some rug, and a whole lot of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Their other dog, named Holly, is sweet and their golden child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The ridgeback, Brodie, is their problem child, but oh, so cute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I loved him.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wDYa715JbJ0/WQS_myfj1TI/AAAAAAAAS50/QAP05RHKEDk_DIPbzOmwYHeE4zHQHnOhQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9675%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wDYa715JbJ0/WQS_myfj1TI/AAAAAAAAS50/QAP05RHKEDk_DIPbzOmwYHeE4zHQHnOhQCLcB/s320/IMG_9675%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="192" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brodie, the brat.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We walked on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There, ahead, were four Greyhounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>One black girl is Willow and she was my favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There are about 40 of them who come on Easter Sunday every year to do a walkabout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>How fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We saw 10 of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Was so fun as they’re such great dogs.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SCZ07_ywlrE/WQTIUomeBUI/AAAAAAAAS7M/92Ykw4ChnYom9ddc_yp_3yDsUf7O0JUzQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9697%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SCZ07_ywlrE/WQTIUomeBUI/AAAAAAAAS7M/92Ykw4ChnYom9ddc_yp_3yDsUf7O0JUzQCLcB/s320/IMG_9697%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="249" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow, very stately.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4fCdpI_R5Q/WQTIw5OwqzI/AAAAAAAAS7U/BBL7j1-y6EIoO1QILr29RXlpsGtjYA7wQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9702%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O4fCdpI_R5Q/WQTIw5OwqzI/AAAAAAAAS7U/BBL7j1-y6EIoO1QILr29RXlpsGtjYA7wQCLcB/s320/IMG_9702%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely dogs.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iOplCo3ejXs/WQTJER2_ukI/AAAAAAAAS7Y/jrqLNjs5LssYXPJj6Rq6acehmvsQS0UwACLcB/s1600/IMG_9706%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iOplCo3ejXs/WQTJER2_ukI/AAAAAAAAS7Y/jrqLNjs5LssYXPJj6Rq6acehmvsQS0UwACLcB/s320/IMG_9706%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was an interesting paint job on this building.&nbsp; It might have been a parking lot.&nbsp; I don't know.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NkMcF4y8RJE/WQTJe7Xg3CI/AAAAAAAAS7c/J7plnWsLp8kW8Kzvs8WxRYQyjdtw3BlIgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9727%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NkMcF4y8RJE/WQTJe7Xg3CI/AAAAAAAAS7c/J7plnWsLp8kW8Kzvs8WxRYQyjdtw3BlIgCLcB/s320/IMG_9727%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love how there are whimsical statues here and there.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RUvxQnYmEcs/WQTJ0RTy7WI/AAAAAAAAS7g/OopzbOeiSv8r3zKkAHhdtMBdMsbf1PtVwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9733%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RUvxQnYmEcs/WQTJ0RTy7WI/AAAAAAAAS7g/OopzbOeiSv8r3zKkAHhdtMBdMsbf1PtVwCLcB/s320/IMG_9733%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="178" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the yellow M&amp;Ms in front of the building.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lOiQssZAPaQ/WQWFI5PFXkI/AAAAAAAAS7w/XfBnsZvzd-cEEGce7HSBIDXqyKKj0n7UwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9737%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lOiQssZAPaQ/WQWFI5PFXkI/AAAAAAAAS7w/XfBnsZvzd-cEEGce7HSBIDXqyKKj0n7UwCLcB/s320/IMG_9737%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's no end to beautiful buildings.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YTKBAZrgAM4/WQWFYjsZsSI/AAAAAAAAS70/ZXYPuo5Fwr4PvKaUppm44fmk_OavSLf5QCLcB/s1600/IMG_9740%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YTKBAZrgAM4/WQWFYjsZsSI/AAAAAAAAS70/ZXYPuo5Fwr4PvKaUppm44fmk_OavSLf5QCLcB/s320/IMG_9740%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps not as beautiful, but certainly intriguing, these are toilettes.&nbsp; I thought they were worm sculptures of some sort.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Then we wandered a bit further and headed toward where we needed to go to catch the shuttle back to the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It started to sprinkle, then rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Our timing was impeccable today.<o:p></o:p></span>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-41060093440122470942017-04-24T09:08:00.003-08:002017-04-24T09:08:30.469-08:00Sydney again <span style="font-family: Calibri;">We arrived this morning, Wednesday, April 12, with the Sydney Opera House on our left, the Sydney Harbour Bridge on our right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was only a short time now before we had to vacate this cabin that we’d grown to love, and move to our other one that we’ve deemed the ghetto cabin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s quite lovely with a balcony, but now we know there’s so much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yep, Princess marketing folks have sucked us right in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But we can’t upgrade for the next leg as there are no mini-suites available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Oh well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Our luggage would be moved for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Nice.<o:p></o:p></span><br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We went up to breakfast, lingered a bit in the room, and then got off the ship, our “in transit” papers in hand, along with our passports and immigration and emigration paperwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’ve heard there are 47 passengers “in transit” continuing on to Los Angeles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The best here is that we’ll be seeing our California friends, Mike and Vangie, as they’ll be boarding in Sydney.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cingular Quay was getting busy, suits going to work, young girls in dresses and nice outfits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It seems to be a young town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We didn’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We knew of a coffee shop in the mall that does good coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They knew of it, too, as it was quite crowded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But we weren’t in a rush to get anywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then we wandered back through the Royal Botanic Garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We found statues that we’d not seen when we’d gone through it a few weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s a beautiful place and worth all the time we’ve spent here.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbArrulTXEM/WP4uYzhpnbI/AAAAAAAAS44/Shg6i5khQboUgdmGxgUJxPOm1KXO2FmmACLcB/s1600/IMG_9580%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbArrulTXEM/WP4uYzhpnbI/AAAAAAAAS44/Shg6i5khQboUgdmGxgUJxPOm1KXO2FmmACLcB/s320/IMG_9580%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="229" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Known as a slit-drum, this one is made of Pacific teak.&nbsp; These were traditionally used for beating dance rhythms, transmitting messages or summoning villagers to meetings.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lgrbv8g_MFM/WP4u7bnjLVI/AAAAAAAAS5A/u6Le20wrPkEGYPcGcY-8aKUComqSrWCZwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9584%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lgrbv8g_MFM/WP4u7bnjLVI/AAAAAAAAS5A/u6Le20wrPkEGYPcGcY-8aKUComqSrWCZwCLcB/s320/IMG_9584%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="194" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the garden there are a couple of areas that have bamboo.&nbsp; I found it interesting that people carved their initials or designs into the stalks.&nbsp; Then I wondered if it killed the plants. It doesn't appear to and I hoped not as I liked imagining koalas peeping out from the fronds at the top, No, there were none here.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--7Wc6vCKiAc/WP4vVQy2QHI/AAAAAAAAS5E/Z1T2WQqtPRwZWOOo9LTsVhfXgOn0NhWtwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9587%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--7Wc6vCKiAc/WP4vVQy2QHI/AAAAAAAAS5E/Z1T2WQqtPRwZWOOo9LTsVhfXgOn0NhWtwCLcB/s320/IMG_9587%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were some ponds here and there, and one with pretty daisy-like flowers that we'd not discovered when here before.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CQ29kErABPg/WP4wV70Jo1I/AAAAAAAAS5M/Na7KzObg0IEfmO3QjJ-yj0AwkV7wlLhvACLcB/s1600/IMG_9595%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CQ29kErABPg/WP4wV70Jo1I/AAAAAAAAS5M/Na7KzObg0IEfmO3QjJ-yj0AwkV7wlLhvACLcB/s320/IMG_9595%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was quite unique.&nbsp; It appeared that when the tree died, they had someone do a carving on the trunk.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I bought a few things to get rid of the Australian cash and then we hit the Oyster Bar for grilled barramundi as they do it best of any we’ve found anywhere here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DqwEuDz4A6k/WP4wtjos5RI/AAAAAAAAS5Q/7dj00xeecZYqu8DNse1JvBstuzo09aUbwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9597%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DqwEuDz4A6k/WP4wtjos5RI/AAAAAAAAS5Q/7dj00xeecZYqu8DNse1JvBstuzo09aUbwCLcB/s320/IMG_9597%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Would they really send this for an iced tea spoon?</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"></span><o:p><span style="background-color: yellow;"></span></o:p></span><br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we got back on board we discovered the differences besides just having a smaller cabin, less shelves and closet space, a smaller deck and only one television set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The towels are not as thick, there are smaller bars of soap, different beds and pillows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>AND there’s no emergency pull cord in the shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There is none at all in this cabin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But we still get ice, our room steward has us well in hand and he seems quite nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Plus he brought us robes that we asked for like we had in the mini-suite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’d gotten quite used to having them and now expect them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We met up with our Californians, Mike and Vangie, for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There was 2-1/2 hours of giggling, talking, laughing out loud, and we told them of the special appetizers and the fabulous view from up in the fancy Skywalkers Lounge on the 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> deck, for Platinum and Elite passengers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>All-in-all, it was a great day, and we’re underway again, crossing the Tasman Sea yet again as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next few days were at-sea days, and we headed back across the Tasman (April 13/14/15).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Of course, there was bad weather expected again, but somehow we avoided it mostly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yay.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve been totally busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There are lectures about upcoming ports, the gym (Come Back New Princess says), there’s card playing … through which I discovered a whole new layer of activities with something called Cruise Critic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Internet basically sucks so I’ve not been on it much, but when you know you are going on a cruise you can go to this site and find your ship and the date you’re sailing, and find people that are going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Some of them like to arrange tours, card playing, and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They did a cabin crawl where you visited a variety of cabins, so you could see what they were like … and what you were missing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’ll have to get on it for the next one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We went with Vangie and Mike to a new ship restaurant we hadn’t tried before, Share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Six courses, we were way too full, but it was wonderful, and we plan to go again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This ship does great food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I should come back new with an additional 20 pounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>NOT!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, the second day at sea I thought one of the lights in the bathroom was burned out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Funny, how you can’t see something well, so you make up what you think it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Turns out it’s a vent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Whoops.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had told Mike and Vangie about the Skywalkers Lounge appetizers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We met up there, but nothing was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We figured it was because the captain was having a big soiree with a champagne waterfall in the piazza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We went up again the next night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Still nothing, and we weren’t the only ones looking for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We thought we should look at the invitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Wrong venue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It turns out that there are a larger number of repeat customers, about a thousand, and so it was being held in a different place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But we were on it now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-1592029489806534182017-04-22T23:08:00.000-08:002017-04-22T23:08:05.317-08:00Play day<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Yay, another excursion on Saturday, April 8, in Port Chalmers, located in the southeast of the South Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This is the port for Dunedin, which was settled by Scottish explorers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Actually, the name Dunedin means Edinburgh in Gaelic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tAb0ZvRibs/WPpJ9Iw77hI/AAAAAAAAS1w/4zvIdNro-akq0Ej3qF2n4MyXy3n59mpBgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8945%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5tAb0ZvRibs/WPpJ9Iw77hI/AAAAAAAAS1w/4zvIdNro-akq0Ej3qF2n4MyXy3n59mpBgCLcB/s320/IMG_8945%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timber, dairy and kiwis are the main products of New Zealand.&nbsp; We've seen a lot of timber in some of the ports.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The town center is built around an octagon, but we wouldn’t be spending time here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were heading on a bus to a place called Scenic Wonders, where we should see seals and were hoping to see penguins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It seems as though we’re always on the hunt for penguins and don’t have a whole lot of luck seeing them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So, we’ll try again.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEQfm5WX4FE/WPpJx7FgsPI/AAAAAAAAS1s/rquBmywxPvsviC3OEyZOJ9I10XTh-rH7QCLcB/s1600/IMG_8949%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEQfm5WX4FE/WPpJx7FgsPI/AAAAAAAAS1s/rquBmywxPvsviC3OEyZOJ9I10XTh-rH7QCLcB/s320/IMG_8949%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This&nbsp;was the old railway station.&nbsp; It's quite beautiful but I was only able to snap a&nbsp;quick shot through the bus window.&nbsp; Would have loved to go see it.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;">&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LdtOSkaLki8/WPpKYynKcZI/AAAAAAAAS10/GjI2m1I8f4k61wqlIIwqujb7tPSX1UddgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8955%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LdtOSkaLki8/WPpKYynKcZI/AAAAAAAAS10/GjI2m1I8f4k61wqlIIwqujb7tPSX1UddgCLcB/s320/IMG_8955%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is some kind of sculpture that looks like giant teeth.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">A bit over an hour in a bus would get us there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We mostly stayed on paved highway, and then turned up a dirt road, steep and winding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We saw lots of sheep, but I certainly couldn’t get a good photo of one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It seems they know you want to photograph them and always give you “the look” and then turn away so quickly you never get the shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A sharp turn took us into the parking lot, quite a feat for a bus with 30 or so people on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We were first offered tea or coffee and freshly-baked scones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>That was a very nice touch, plus they were really tasty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Cruise ship passengers don’t like missing a meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Then it was time to get either into a small bus or onto an Argo, an 8-wheeled all-terrain vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We opted first for the bus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The bus took us over a rutted road, deep ruts, and we bounced around like Bingo balls in the box before they spring them to be called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was ROUGH!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But we arrived at a lookout and got out of the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We could hear noises … on my, it was a little seal just below us in the brush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were told to come away, as being above it made it feel threatened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Just around the corner of the walkway that has wooden fencing to keep people from going off the path, we saw a pond ahead to our left, and rocks and waves crashing to our front and right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In the pond there were several baby seals frolicking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was so much fun to watch them dive under, come up and leap out of the water, jump over one another, play with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What a wonderful life they have here in this pond while they’re young.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXHD7n-kRig/WPpLe6DxZLI/AAAAAAAAS18/fDMgqMRyO7oo2eWkUDNOd8rVBQv-O4kuACLcB/s1600/IMG_8964%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXHD7n-kRig/WPpLe6DxZLI/AAAAAAAAS18/fDMgqMRyO7oo2eWkUDNOd8rVBQv-O4kuACLcB/s320/IMG_8964%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These little guys were having so much fun.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SGs85rOCGxI/WPpMVo42HlI/AAAAAAAAS2E/mQmfGc-gEroGguUP1qti0Yaf65jyeAepQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8979%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SGs85rOCGxI/WPpMVo42HlI/AAAAAAAAS2E/mQmfGc-gEroGguUP1qti0Yaf65jyeAepQCLcB/s320/IMG_8979%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was off in the distance a bit, looking as though he was getting a bit of sun.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jmla4X_KYoU/WPpNZRNIq6I/AAAAAAAAS2M/K6s5Tt2QLqQPsrwiyb2pgQDR9VSMEmbiQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8984%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jmla4X_KYoU/WPpNZRNIq6I/AAAAAAAAS2M/K6s5Tt2QLqQPsrwiyb2pgQDR9VSMEmbiQCLcB/s320/IMG_8984%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another pose struck by a baby.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QYc8KnukTk8/WPpN-AgB9_I/AAAAAAAAS2U/QX6CK0AK4A8otRW-OC9qGHriahXa_Pg5wCLcB/s1600/IMG_9079%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QYc8KnukTk8/WPpN-AgB9_I/AAAAAAAAS2U/QX6CK0AK4A8otRW-OC9qGHriahXa_Pg5wCLcB/s320/IMG_9079%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little guy was adorable.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8svzYBOzU0I/WPpOZAsvN0I/AAAAAAAAS2Y/EUf6H9PgskErFqL3-MxSKgeUP7ge8Ac1QCLcB/s1600/IMG_9109%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8svzYBOzU0I/WPpOZAsvN0I/AAAAAAAAS2Y/EUf6H9PgskErFqL3-MxSKgeUP7ge8Ac1QCLcB/s320/IMG_9109%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were still playing when we moved to get back onto the vehicles.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">About a thousand babies were born this year, and this place is a good one for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s protected from predators, and they can spend their young time having fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They were great to watch, and so nice to see so many of them, slick little dark bodies, moving here and there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We were then taken to a beautiful white-sand beach where we could see two sea lions in the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>No one walks on this beach as it’s protected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Of course, seeing sea lions meant there would be no penguins there as they’d be avoiding their predators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>At this time the penguins are molting, so they are losing feathers and growing new ones, and are quite vulnerable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were taken to an enclosed walkway that goes down the side of a steep cliff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were hopeful to see penguins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was very steep walking and we went to the end, not a far walk, maybe an eighth of a mile at most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were a few folks I didn’t think could get either down or back up, but we all made it.</span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KwKQR1mflC4/WPuYlHSi83I/AAAAAAAAS24/BUvOILS2EYQNTeVvxpNcxJe2fF8FYSFpwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9120%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KwKQR1mflC4/WPuYlHSi83I/AAAAAAAAS24/BUvOILS2EYQNTeVvxpNcxJe2fF8FYSFpwCLcB/s320/IMG_9120%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beach was beautiful, but no penguins here.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">On the way back up we were taken up a second very short path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Our guide opened a small viewing window and behind it lay a molting little blue penguin, its eyes peeping back at us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>No photos allowed so as not to disturb the little critter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But it was enough to see it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Then it was time to switch and we’d ride the Argos back to the base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’d been hopeful to see the yellow-eyed penguins, but no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It wasn’t for us today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We seem to have issues seeing penguins in the wild.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Another time, maybe.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQYdnSwcvw4/WPuXrZlN9PI/AAAAAAAAS2w/qKRY7qDBGrILRWikLap5_XA1Z3cscoPyACLcB/s1600/IMG_9150%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kQYdnSwcvw4/WPuXrZlN9PI/AAAAAAAAS2w/qKRY7qDBGrILRWikLap5_XA1Z3cscoPyACLcB/s320/IMG_9150%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="307" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was quite the path we were riding on to get back to the base camp.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">It’s a long ride to see anything from Port Chalmers, except if you were just going into Dunedin, but it was a good day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were out and about, and we did see something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And we had sunshine.&nbsp;&nbsp; We also dropped off the pilot we'd hijacked a few days earlier.&nbsp; Good for him.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qzXMOQg59CI/WPuZJSB-e2I/AAAAAAAAS3A/XKTCKu4FTqMo-NfSE1UcEJY1TFMN7QizgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9215%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qzXMOQg59CI/WPuZJSB-e2I/AAAAAAAAS3A/XKTCKu4FTqMo-NfSE1UcEJY1TFMN7QizgCLcB/s320/IMG_9215%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are a lot of cargo ships going in and out of here, in close quarters.&nbsp; I wondered if they had many collisions.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46vzULS4OhI/WPuZpDNI_rI/AAAAAAAAS3E/d2gM-VQziPIWq2xoEXZb2kT-ZCFz64_bACLcB/s1600/IMG_9234%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46vzULS4OhI/WPuZpDNI_rI/AAAAAAAAS3E/d2gM-VQziPIWq2xoEXZb2kT-ZCFz64_bACLcB/s320/IMG_9234%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our little tugs was having fun doing pirouttes, showing off for his shipboard audience.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FAjvo-dbXIY/WPuZ6zLvyLI/AAAAAAAAS3M/7_167HWHNYEp3pcT3qjs5lcEpZ6QLIfAQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9241%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FAjvo-dbXIY/WPuZ6zLvyLI/AAAAAAAAS3M/7_167HWHNYEp3pcT3qjs5lcEpZ6QLIfAQCLcB/s320/IMG_9241%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a narrow channel leading us out of town, and beautiful to sail through.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The next day, Sunday, April 9, we were to be doing scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The last time we tried scenic cruising on a ship, our ship couldn’t get in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This time we were graced with smooth water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was like glass and our park guide said in the 50 years he’d been coming here there’d never been such a spectacular day for sailing. </span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7p_szUN7ZAw/WPuaRMNFoAI/AAAAAAAAS3Q/jgg82tyVsLAXju_n2rHVu6Ph9mEFq-ItQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9285%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7p_szUN7ZAw/WPuaRMNFoAI/AAAAAAAAS3Q/jgg82tyVsLAXju_n2rHVu6Ph9mEFq-ItQCLcB/s320/IMG_9285%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a beautiful morning it was, with the sunshine on the water, the little islands, the mountains in the background.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p>We sailed through Dusky Sound and we saw lots of what were probably Dusky Dolphins as they run in larger pods, and there were maybe 40-50 of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They played close to the ship in the wake, near, alongside, under.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What a treat.</o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6BagnHWvmq8/WPxMG9h8qxI/AAAAAAAAS3s/iyxkGSdU8nEKu9dr0jE5eqKJN5ogpVHUwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9294%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6BagnHWvmq8/WPxMG9h8qxI/AAAAAAAAS3s/iyxkGSdU8nEKu9dr0jE5eqKJN5ogpVHUwCLcB/s320/IMG_9294%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiordland has 14 fiords and consists of 3.1 million acres, which is 5 percent of the land mass of New Zealand.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The fiords were awesome, rising from the water and straight up, sometimes for hundreds of feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s amazing where this ship can be taken as the cliffs rose on either side, sometimes seeming so close you could touch the rock walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We stood on the deck for hours as we couldn’t get enough of the view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We came out of Dusky Sound and along the end and back through Doubtful Sound, out Thompson Sound, and along the edge again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yR8gHZPWwJQ/WPxMg5S6ZRI/AAAAAAAAS3w/vibVSWO9jOU6jwId0iIjHlpTA7-S5-7YACLcB/s1600/IMG_9333%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yR8gHZPWwJQ/WPxMg5S6ZRI/AAAAAAAAS3w/vibVSWO9jOU6jwId0iIjHlpTA7-S5-7YACLcB/s320/IMG_9333%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's pretty unbelievable where our Captain an take the ship.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fKZlWVuylMc/WPxNvc9ImWI/AAAAAAAAS38/7Qo_UUKzqVUo9oHzdg6QeElHraKoop-DACLcB/s1600/IMG_9362%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fKZlWVuylMc/WPxNvc9ImWI/AAAAAAAAS38/7Qo_UUKzqVUo9oHzdg6QeElHraKoop-DACLcB/s320/IMG_9362%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiordland became a National&nbsp;Park in 1952 and a World Heritage area in 1986.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WyFiI5hJg6k/WPxOXRpNngI/AAAAAAAAS4E/qVLssxWOJVM6npYTlnpgHxSkNn7UvGelACLcB/s1600/IMG_9401%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WyFiI5hJg6k/WPxOXRpNngI/AAAAAAAAS4E/qVLssxWOJVM6npYTlnpgHxSkNn7UvGelACLcB/s320/IMG_9401%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiordland gets more than 200 days a year with rain.</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fMH8mFobevQ/WPxQRyx4wgI/AAAAAAAAS4Q/LlTPbdFAJLAkWNqmWNPj281HRYcPHiI3ACLcB/s1600/IMG_9412%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fMH8mFobevQ/WPxQRyx4wgI/AAAAAAAAS4Q/LlTPbdFAJLAkWNqmWNPj281HRYcPHiI3ACLcB/s320/IMG_9412%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Believe it or not, this ship can make a pretty sharp corner.<br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We entered another sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were small falls coming down, a larger falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And Milford, a little town at the end of Milford Sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We dropped off our ranger guide.&nbsp; What a wonderful day it was … and then we were out, and back to the open water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XMVM9fEv0zI/WPxRF96ZvzI/AAAAAAAAS4Y/KLXD7tZeAeYKn9Ra7ql_T40q11pE0GDdwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9445%2B%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XMVM9fEv0zI/WPxRF96ZvzI/AAAAAAAAS4Y/KLXD7tZeAeYKn9Ra7ql_T40q11pE0GDdwCLcB/s320/IMG_9445%2B%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the end of this sound with the great rocks rising directly out of the water is Milford, a very small town where we dropped off our park guide.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zBWiw8h7Sd4/WPxRp54RqxI/AAAAAAAAS4g/v09VyR-ZXXsx5S8uMypFNXL2hCblt6COACLcB/s1600/IMG_9498%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zBWiw8h7Sd4/WPxRp54RqxI/AAAAAAAAS4g/v09VyR-ZXXsx5S8uMypFNXL2hCblt6COACLcB/s320/IMG_9498%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We learned that fiords are steep cliffs to the water, and sounds are gently sloping down to the water.&nbsp; I'd say this is a fiord.&nbsp; There are also hundreds of waterfalls here, that make it such a pretty place, but it was cool today.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gAzpWKjqXnw/WPxSMNsS9kI/AAAAAAAAS4o/XLYkYj_83WYz2lXmYlT1TfO0GCUzfv4lwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9562%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gAzpWKjqXnw/WPxSMNsS9kI/AAAAAAAAS4o/XLYkYj_83WYz2lXmYlT1TfO0GCUzfv4lwCLcB/s320/IMG_9562%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had to show some of the snow high up in the mountains.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">For the next two days (April 10/11), we were at sea, and close to the end of this cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The water is calmer than it was on our first trip across the Tasman Sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We did do a few things those last couple of days … one of which was a culinary demonstration as there are a lot of Italian chefs on this ship, and we wanted to see how they do a few things as the pasta on this ship has been excellent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>“Cook with a passion,” was the message from Executive Chef Giuseppe Pollara.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A few stints in the gym, still haven’t played Bingo, and shedding crocodile tears as we packed up to move from our mini-suite to our balcony cabin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-10025621764651324192017-04-18T09:59:00.000-08:002017-04-18T09:59:08.747-08:00Finally, an excursion<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We finally, we got to do an excursion Thursday, April 6, in Wellington, the capital city, also called the “Culture Capital of New Zealand.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In the rain, of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">It wasn’t raining too much when we boarded the bus to take us to Zealandia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>By the time we got there, it started to pour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We went on our walking tour anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wy_Fjm1dicQ/WPXCTqeG91I/AAAAAAAASzM/fMVAQxJlfbIGLIZL6mJbU2JGZQ6HoEusgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8855%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wy_Fjm1dicQ/WPXCTqeG91I/AAAAAAAASzM/fMVAQxJlfbIGLIZL6mJbU2JGZQ6HoEusgCLcB/s320/IMG_8855%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="226" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up the steps we went.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">We saw a few birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A very cool place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s like a Jurassic Park setting, and that’s what they call it, the Jurassic Park of New Zealand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They’re working to return this piece of land to the way it was hundreds of years ago … without dogs, cats, rats, stoats, possums, the ones that wreak havoc on bird life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There were no mammals here long ago, just birds and marine life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s a giant and noble undertaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3oSAhTtdeHw/WPXFcA0FTRI/AAAAAAAASzs/W4XNMckPWIoiGEu36BPmxxT_PxHtuLY7QCLcB/s1600/IMG_8857%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3oSAhTtdeHw/WPXFcA0FTRI/AAAAAAAASzs/W4XNMckPWIoiGEu36BPmxxT_PxHtuLY7QCLcB/s320/IMG_8857%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The giant weta.&nbsp; We did see one of the 3-inch ones that lives inside the tree.&nbsp; Ugly in real life.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BaCA-VzhT50/WPZOPdMavDI/AAAAAAAAS0U/iQ-gS30kBX4FOoseL0yuHvHLUES10lWgACLcB/s1600/IMG_8862%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BaCA-VzhT50/WPZOPdMavDI/AAAAAAAAS0U/iQ-gS30kBX4FOoseL0yuHvHLUES10lWgACLcB/s320/IMG_8862%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a lake and a dam, and loads of hiking trails here that would be nice to walk, if it were sunny.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZcOiyAfwA0/WPZO1d_thbI/AAAAAAAAS0c/y_gu6yjIonwe1UGp8QWADB_J6reFPmtlQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8881%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZcOiyAfwA0/WPZO1d_thbI/AAAAAAAAS0c/y_gu6yjIonwe1UGp8QWADB_J6reFPmtlQCLcB/s320/IMG_8881%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moa was a flightless bird that was hunted to extinction.&nbsp; It looks kind of like an emu except with lots of feathers.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">They’ve put up special fencing, with wire underneath it so rodents can’t dig under it, and a tubular piece over the top so they can’t crawl over it, and they patrol it often looking for breaks or deterioration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;">﻿</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kfHXFVjccq4/WPXBpmJlrQI/AAAAAAAASzE/f_kjYVs2m18o4ypnWcVN-7SBeLqHr7XmACLcB/s1600/IMG_8883%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kfHXFVjccq4/WPXBpmJlrQI/AAAAAAAASzE/f_kjYVs2m18o4ypnWcVN-7SBeLqHr7XmACLcB/s320/IMG_8883%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="218" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fence looked pretty good from where we stood.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">As back up there are traps set around to catch rodents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The object is to bring back birds that have been on the edge of extinction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s a beautiful place, and would have really been lovely in the sunlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As it is, it’s lush, with the sounds of birds, even if they can’t always be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DhmXWLqLIfM/WPM8ZJrwDeI/AAAAAAAASyY/-M_yb7y4K60pAlZMnaD6zl81x0YJTQGagCLcB/s1600/IMG_8872%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DhmXWLqLIfM/WPM8ZJrwDeI/AAAAAAAASyY/-M_yb7y4K60pAlZMnaD6zl81x0YJTQGagCLcB/s320/IMG_8872%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The takahe is a large, flightless bird that is usually near wetlands.&nbsp; It was once thought to be extinct, and is considered critically endangered.&nbsp; They are similar to another bird we'd seen, but have a larger beak.&nbsp; Zealandia is also the home of the largest population of little spotted kiwis on mainland New Zealand.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I didn’t take a photo but there is also a pateke, a brown teal duck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s a rare native duck half the size of a mallard with a beautiful mosaic of brown feathers on its back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It doesn’t quack like the ducks I’m used to hearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It growls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">From there we went on to Otari, Wilton’s Bush Trust, a collection of native plants.&nbsp; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>It’s a rather a cool place, particularly if you’re into plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The rain lightened up some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I had my rain poncho so just the bottoms of my pants, my shoes and socks were wet today.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBS5_6Fv0sQ/WPXDXorJSrI/AAAAAAAASzY/mLHChJGe_icv20LJK4uw0b0HT8F6TfXEQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8888%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBS5_6Fv0sQ/WPXDXorJSrI/AAAAAAAASzY/mLHChJGe_icv20LJK4uw0b0HT8F6TfXEQCLcB/s320/IMG_8888%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="161" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They did have some rain coats.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Pum9T1Dcfc/WPZPnMrRJ3I/AAAAAAAAS0k/awrPNkXUrjM8n6RnTsmF7J8jD_9hUy8CwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8895%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Pum9T1Dcfc/WPZPnMrRJ3I/AAAAAAAAS0k/awrPNkXUrjM8n6RnTsmF7J8jD_9hUy8CwCLcB/s320/IMG_8895%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otari is the only public botanic garden dedicated&nbsp;solely to New Zealand plants.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GL_UbBIGpfM/WPZQ-_UQplI/AAAAAAAAS0w/cOEc6xRf21oUwRjIv1v_Kb1AiqLnUn7ywCLcB/s1600/IMG_8901%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GL_UbBIGpfM/WPZQ-_UQplI/AAAAAAAAS0w/cOEc6xRf21oUwRjIv1v_Kb1AiqLnUn7ywCLcB/s320/IMG_8901%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is a beautiful place and one that would also have been fun to explore more&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q1ocBr9Nhto/WPZR2xKk9RI/AAAAAAAAS04/zjhr4j5iDVI9BV4wCFTJrfUFn91uij_BwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8904%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q1ocBr9Nhto/WPZR2xKk9RI/AAAAAAAAS04/zjhr4j5iDVI9BV4wCFTJrfUFn91uij_BwCLcB/s320/IMG_8904%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otari propagates and grows rare native plants to be planted back into the wild.&nbsp; In fact, only one tree of a certain variety survived the introduction of goats.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1AyTt1w5aLI/WPZSgo_R0oI/AAAAAAAAS1A/pAQf6ZisKLstiEuiSuuRaI40ooNN_NN4ACLcB/s1600/IMG_8906%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1AyTt1w5aLI/WPZSgo_R0oI/AAAAAAAAS1A/pAQf6ZisKLstiEuiSuuRaI40ooNN_NN4ACLcB/s320/IMG_8906%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These berries, and one other type I saw, are a beautiful bluish-purple hue.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">Back to the ship and a bite to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Tonight there was a show we went to see, two of the four Kinsmen (Pearson &amp; Harvey), I believe local type of talent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Funny, musical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was great and I was laughing so hard I cried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>However, the Captain came on and told us the seas would be very rough, and to be careful and make sure everything in our cabins was stowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He came on again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This time to tell us the water was so rough our pilot couldn’t get off the ship and on to the pilot boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He would be continuing on with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He also said that the seas could get violent, his words, not mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The water got very rough, with seas of 12-18 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were sailing through Cook Strait, where it appears all the water from around the islands comes together and make it into a huge boiling pot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m thinking this is some of the roughest we’ve been in … on all our cruises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The ship is creaking and groaning, rolling from side to side, and our speed has slowed to 14.2 knots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>No hammer down tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">The report from the bridge indicated that the wind was 45 knots, strong gale, force 9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Stef and I went out on the balcony to look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The water is crashing over the bow as we make our way through … with the high-flying mist dancing over the top of the waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s beautiful, but also scary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It makes me want to eat chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It’s a good thing I’ve been rat holing the chocolates the room steward brings every evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But I have faith in our captain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">As Friday, April 7, dawned, we continued on, another ship drive by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>When we have to use tenders in a port, if there’s big water, it doesn’t happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So we didn’t get into Akaroa, and we still have the ship pilot from Wellington with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I hope he didn’t have some special engagement yesterday evening or today, like maybe his wedding or vacation plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We were to go see little penguins here … <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Three out of five excursions so far missed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But we occupied our time with another at-sea day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>And we really do enjoy afternoon tea in one of the dining rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Little sandwiches, scones, other fancy desserts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yum!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot;;">I’m doing a lot of reading on this cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I also went to the gym, listened to a piano player in the piazza, and enjoyed some appetizers in the Skywalker Lounge, which is a part of being a Platinum passenger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We sat there enjoying our water with lime and shrimp, cheeses and fresh fruit and vegetables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The view is magnificent from the 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> deck at the back of the ship, and quite relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6854316680696293890.post-86388494593185699392017-04-15T01:53:00.004-08:002017-04-15T01:53:51.227-08:00Back to Auckland <span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back to Auckland on Monday, April 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>On our way we saw a few dolphins, but not well enough to get any photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Maybe another time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qVm3D0fwI0/WPHsoskoUrI/AAAAAAAASx8/2bO104APFtomiHrVTJmMGCNH-m3DOSQJwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8816%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qVm3D0fwI0/WPHsoskoUrI/AAAAAAAASx8/2bO104APFtomiHrVTJmMGCNH-m3DOSQJwCLcB/s320/IMG_8816%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are again, another big, beautiful city.&nbsp; Our tugs await our arrival.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGiqJNGTQIE/WPHtS-ctKuI/AAAAAAAASyE/1ulqv0leXs4Ce_ziFzkJowZafGve7b65QCLcB/s1600/IMG_8833%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGiqJNGTQIE/WPHtS-ctKuI/AAAAAAAASyE/1ulqv0leXs4Ce_ziFzkJowZafGve7b65QCLcB/s320/IMG_8833%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the slip we glided into, something seemingly not nearly large enough,</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We didn’t plan any excursions as we’d been here a couple of weeks ago and had done pretty much what we’d wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But there was a mission for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>When heading to the shuttle to take us to the ship on the 31<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>, I had a luggage malfunction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>My small bag’s handle broke … and while I was still able to use it, it was no longer in top shape and I required a new one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We got off the ship and planned to walk up the street, Queen’s Street, I might add.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Our plan was to look for a shop where I could find a replacement piece of luggage, and a coffee shop where we’d stop and have a cup of coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Mission accomplished, with first the luggage that I then drug up and down the street, and then coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The good thing about the luggage was that I could put my purchased trinkets in it rather than have to carry a bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ship called us back and we changed into our swimming suits and went up to one of the pools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was great as we had it to ourselves for a long time, as well as the hot tub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Later in the evening we changed and went to a performance of a local group who did traditional Maori chants and dancing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was quite enjoyable, and I sure do like it when the locals come on board to perform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A walk in the hot sun, and a hot tub ended my night pretty quickly as I was spent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So bed time came early as a light rain began falling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were to be in Tauranga Tuesday, April 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’d received word the evening before that our tour for here was cancelled due to bad weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’d had a kayaking and thermal pool trip planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What a disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It was raining, but not hard, but we couldn’t change it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Off we went, outfitted in long pants and our Harley jackets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’d decided to walk around the base of Mount Maunganui.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5t803PV3d0w/WPHqzrtwJ8I/AAAAAAAASxo/AagxDUzJeeMWoWQ2Amn7aO1Zxr2H1rjeACLcB/s1600/DSC_0331%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5t803PV3d0w/WPHqzrtwJ8I/AAAAAAAASxo/AagxDUzJeeMWoWQ2Amn7aO1Zxr2H1rjeACLcB/s320/DSC_0331%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off in the distance from where we got off our ship, we could see Mount Maunganui.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The seas along the base were angry, and got way angrier as we walked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The wind was blowing hard, and it was raining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As we walked, the rain began to come down even harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>By this time we were probably half-way around the base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So, we just kept on going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNfgqhF7Fug/WPHrMI7O-9I/AAAAAAAASxs/0Ze8s6-RjRgu_FFDvaHFSVv77onUZfjGwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0338%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNfgqhF7Fug/WPHrMI7O-9I/AAAAAAAASxs/0Ze8s6-RjRgu_FFDvaHFSVv77onUZfjGwCLcB/s320/DSC_0338%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was beautiful with a well-maintained path around the base of the mountain.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The walk was beautiful, even in pouring down rain, but sure would have been nice in the sun with the waves crashing against the rocks, the tide pools calling us to come see what underwater life they held.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M0eABw8cTc8/WPHrjT46HKI/AAAAAAAASxw/OqPxZZI7jQEV8lvJ3nSqrEdAxZ8NRgRiwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0341%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M0eABw8cTc8/WPHrjT46HKI/AAAAAAAASxw/OqPxZZI7jQEV8lvJ3nSqrEdAxZ8NRgRiwCLcB/s320/DSC_0341%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were some beautiful rocks and pools that called us, but the weather continued to deteriorate.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uz6_1-L-d18/WPHsKR2KUII/AAAAAAAASx4/WDldtpFOg6o3mwXWngSRylQ5TcRPDanfwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0343%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uz6_1-L-d18/WPHsKR2KUII/AAAAAAAASx4/WDldtpFOg6o3mwXWngSRylQ5TcRPDanfwCLcB/s320/DSC_0343%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was so foggy and raining so hard we could barely see our ship.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We just kept going until we got back to the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Our wet clothes hang dripping in the tub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We’re even more grateful now for the larger room, with a tub and a clothesline that holds most of our clothes as they drip, drip, drip.We were really glad to have the Princess bathrobes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I got into dry clothes, put the bathrobe over them and crawled into bed, cold and tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I slept for a few hours, and finally was warm again.<o:p></o:p></span><br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was time to have a bite to eat, and walk around a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Inside not out as the storm was still dropping buckets of rain onto the decks of our ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The wind is howling, and the seas will most likely become a bit rougher again tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; tab-stops: 363.85pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gisborne was our port of call for Wednesday, April 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Well, that didn’t happen either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Due to bad weather the ship couldn’t get into port, so we didn’t do our bicycle-riding trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>So far, we’re not doing well, and pretty soon Princess may have to be paying us to take this cruise (I wish).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But it’s not as though we don’t find things to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There’s plenty to do, and I’ve taken this opportunity to do a lot of reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>thequeentravelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06623098356504542467noreply@blogger.com0